Caves of Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains

The complete history of the exploration, use and commercial development of fourteen caves in the Knoxville/Great Smoky Mountains area. Includes the history of exploration and mapping by NSS members.

• Learn about the use of caves in the Knoxville and Great Smoky Mountains area by American Indians.
• Learn how many of these caves were mined for saltpeter, the main ingredient of gunpowder, during both the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
• Read the story of the Lost Sea, the largest underground lake in North America, as scuba divers explore its depths.
• Learn how Gap Cave was discovered in 1750 by Thomas Walker, guardian of young Thomas Jefferson.
• The complete story of the exploration and commercial development of fourteen Knoxville and Great Smoky Mountain area caves.
• Read fascinating, never-before-published details of the exploration of these caves.

Larry E. Matthews
2008
296 pages, softbound