Tuesday, July 18, 1972 - Page 200
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BETHLEHEM CAVE
I've recently learned a lot about this cave that I didn't know in 1972. The current owner of Bethlehem discovered my blog and has been kind enough to exchange emails with me. He told me that the sidewalks we built are still in good condition -- except for one section that has reverted to gravel. That's the part Father Gilbert was rightfully complaining about. He sent this PDF (2.6 MB) of Conception Abbey's newsletter for Summer 2010 that features an excellent article about the cave on pages 12 thru 14 (Conception History: Bethlehem Cave). Below is the Bethlehem area as it appears today on Google Earth.
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| Bethlehem, South Dakota, as seen on Google Earth (copyright 2013) |
1876 - Discovered by early pioneers, the McBride brothers (Adolphus & Charles), who called it "the Crystal Cave Area."
1892 - The first owners of the cave, "Keith & Allabaugh," began providing tours. They also removed 15 tons of natural formations from the cavern that were transported to the
1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago to be set up in an artificial cave exhibit. The owners continued to sell crystal specimens at other fairs and exhibitions until 1910.
1919 - A real estate developer, Loui Storm, purchased the property.
1923 - A diesel engine and generator were installed to provide electricity for Crystal Cave tours. This attraction proved so popular during the 1920s and 30s that many commercial caves in the US were inspired to use "Crystal" in their names.
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| Entrance to Crystal Cave (Photos courtesy Conception Abbey 2010) |
1952 - In January, Crystal Cave was deeded as a gift to Conception Abbey, Order of St. Benedict of the Catholic Church. The specific reason for this is unclear. Perhaps the aging owner experienced religious inclinations before his death.
1957 - In February, operation of the cave was turned over to Father Gilbert Stack, O.S.B., who renamed it Bethlehem Cave. Under his direction, priests and Benedictine monks built living quarters, repaired washed-out roads, and established "The Shrine of the Nativity" within the cave's entrance. Tourism was encouraged and services were held twice each morning during the summer and on special religious holidays throughout the year.
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| Father Gilbert at The Shrine of the Nativity in Bethlehem Cave (circa 1960) |
1959 - In October, Father Gilbert was authorized to establish a tiny post office with Bethlehem's own zip code (57708). Utilizing his training as a printer, Fr. Gil initiated a successful source of donations for the Church by creating Christmas cards, postal envelopes, and other material that promoted the Shrine of the Nativity and Bethlehem Cave.
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| Collection of postal "cover" envelopes from the Shrine of the Nativity, as seen in Tower Topics - Summer 2010 (PDF 2.6 MB) |
Here are some slides that were sold in the Gift Shop. The colors have faded with age.
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PANA-VUE SLIDE 401
BETHLEHEM CAVE
The Shrine of the Nativity |
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PANA-VUE SLIDE 402
BETHLEHEM CAVE
Flowstone Formation |
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PANA-VUE SLIDE 403
BETHLEHEM CAVE
Statue of St. Benedict |
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PANA-VUE SLIDE 404
BETHLEHEM CAVE
Leaning Tower of Pisa |
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PANA-VUE SLIDE 405
BETHLEHEM CAVE
Prayer for Peace |
NOW, we return to today's brief 1972 posting (most of this journal page was devoted to events that overflowed from the previous entry, July 17):
(Notes regarding July 18, written into the book at 9:00 PM 7/29/1972)
Mrs. Latka's birthday. I read "I'm OK, etc." out on the cliff. Wandered around a bit, saw the lights on in the cave, went in and found Mike & Sue, then we took a short cut and joined Ken, Stephanie
[Mrs. Latka], Ted
[Mr. Latka], and Tom. Then we went on the tour.
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| Sue Latka in Bethlehem Cave |
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| Sue supervising the sidewalk crew |
TOMORROW: Trip to Chicago begins
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