TSHA Home Publications Education Events Southwestern Historical Quarterly The Handbook of Texas Online About Us News Site Search Contact Us Giving Opportunities Links FAQ Join the TSHA
skip to content
TSHA Online Home
Texas Day by Day

July 3, 1964


Natural Bridge Caverns, largest in Texas, opens to public

On this day in 1964, Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest known cavern in Texas, was opened to the public. The cavern was discovered on March 27, 1960, by four spelunkers who were students at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. It is located off Farm Road 1863 in the hill country of Comal County midway between New Braunfels and San Antonio. The name was derived from a sixty-foot natural limestone slab bridge that spanned the amphitheater setting of the cavern's entrance. The developed portion of the cave, furnished with a half mile of paved trails and illuminated by 35,000 watts of indirect lighting, extends to as much as 260 feet below ground level. Natural Bridge Caverns became a registered United States natural landmark in 1971.

Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS
COMAL COUNTY

Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
Generous curandero dies in South Texas (1907)
Oldest public hospital in Texas opens (1884)


Copyright © Texas State Historical Association    Published by the Texas State Historical Association and distributed
in partnership with Holt, Rinehart and Winston, a Harcourt Education Company
Terms of Use   Comment/Contact   Policy Agreement   Updated: May 15, 08