Around 4,000 years ago, it is believed that prehistoric Native Americans mined these cave walls for its minerals and buried their dead inside the cave. In the 1800s, Dr. Frank Gorin (or, some reports say, Dr. John Croghan) established a colony for tuberculosis patients in the cave, believing the cave air would heal them. Many of the patients died. In the 1920s many of the caves were privately owned and in a battle to attract tourist dollars. Floyd Collins, who owned a section called Crystal Cave, was excavating when a boulder fell on his leg, pinning him. He was found the next day, but no one could move the heavy boulder, and people came from all over to follow the drama. After two weeks, Collins died, and his body was placed on display in the cave. The body was then stolen and found a few days later in a field, minus one leg, and he was put back in his cave coffin until the National Park System bought the cave and closed it to tourists. The cave, now determined to be part of the Mammoth Cave system, is rumored to be haunted. Floyd’s ghost is said to be heard calling for help, and objects have been thrown from an unknown source. Apparitions of African-American slaves also have been seen in the caves.

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