Diamond Caverns celebrates 160 years of cave tours

PARK CITY Ky.-A place in Park City where time seems to stand still, 160 years later, the Historic Diamond Caverns holds its place in Kentucky history.

The Historic Diamond Caverns were first discovered by a slave on July 14, 1859. On Aug. 19 of the same year, the caverns were used for the first tour, named for its diamond shaped formations.

Cave guide Chase Lasely said to this day, it’s rewarding to bring Kentucky down the stairway of history.

“We’re excited. We’ve been here for 160 years. We love bringing people down here to see the beautiful cave that’s right underneath our feet here. We love bringing people down here just to get a piece of Kentucky’s history really,” Lasley said.

Visitor Derek Cromwell from Berrien Springs, Mich. is a longtime visitor of the diamond caverns, and he said he’s blown away by the milestone of 160 years.

“I’m amazed at how many people come from all over the world to see the beauty that we have under the ground here in Kentucky,” Cromwell said.

From unique rock formations to eyeless cave crayfish, Cromwell said a trip to the Historic Caverns is a gem.

“Every year we come back and at least do the gift shop if not a full tour of the cave. Every time we go, we see something new,” Cromwell said.

While 160 years may seem long compared to the average life span, Cromwell said in the grand scheme of things, we’re only a small pebble in the history of the caverns.

“It’s just a drop in time. We’ve only been around just for a speck of how long this cave has been here. We’re only playing a small part in its history, but it’s played a huge part in ours,” Cromwell said.