450 



LURAY CAVERX, PAGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA. 



iug about 600 inhabitants. Those seeking a shorter route to the caverns 

 Tiiay now go by rail directly to the spot over the recentlj'-conipleted 

 Shenandoah Valley Eailroad. To select quarters for the night, to eat a 

 .sumjituous dinner, and to don their old clothes, occupied the j^arty but 

 .:a short time, and then all were ready to mount the tally-ho for the 

 <cave, which is situated on the north side of the turnpike about a mile 

 west of the town. The entrance is near the summit of a rolling hill. 



Before entering, the party listened to an interesting account of the 

 .^search for the cavern by Mr. Stebbins, and, under the instruction of 

 Trofessor White, observed carefully its topographical and geological 

 environment. 



The Blue Ridge and Town of Lnrav from Cave Hill. 



Tor many years a small cave has been known in one of the hills near 

 Luray, but it was not until August, 1878, that this wonderful freak of 

 nature was discovered. This was due to the curiosity of Mr. B. P. Steb- 

 l)ins, a traveling photographer, who was convinced that the old cave was 

 only a part of other similar formations. After diligent search, numerous 

 <liggings, and considerable expenditure of time and money, with no little 

 ridicule from the villagers, he was rewarded by the brilliant discovery. 

 Andrew J. Cami)bell, of Luray, was the first to enter the cave. 



At this point Page Yalley is sev^eral miles wide, and is bordered 

 "Upon the east by the Blue Eidge, and upon the west by the Massanutton 

 JVIountain. The general surface is considerably diversified, and the 



