Charles Town Cave — also formerly known as Crystal Lake Cave and Lakeland Cave — is located in the center of Charles Town, West Virginia, United States.[1] One entrance was in the cellar of a bakery (since demolished) and led down to a passage about 175 feet long to a large pool of clear water about 25 feet in diameter. Much of the cave is under the current Old Opera House building.

Charles Town Cave
LocationCharles Town, West Virginia, United States
Coordinates39°17′27″N 77°51′33″W / 39.29083°N 77.85917°W / 39.29083; -77.85917
Length175 feet
Discovery1906
GeologyElbrook Limestone
Entrances1
DifficultyEasy
AccessPrivate property

The cave was discovered accidentally in 1906 and was for a time developed as a commercial show cave in the late 1920s and early '30s. Water sampling in 1997 showed the presence of petroleum contamination in the water.[2]

The cave is closed to the public. Rumors persist about other entrances to the cave in various Charles Town and Ranson buildings.

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Davies, William E. (1958), Caverns of West Virginia, 2nd edition, Volume XIX(A) of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, Beckley, West Virginia: Biggs-Johnson-Withrow, pp 148.
  2. ^ Stortstrom, Mary (February 22, 2014). "History of underground cave explored". The Journal. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
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