Throwback Thursday – Remembering the Floyd Collins Story

One of the most famous Kentucky cave explorers would have celebrated a 135th birthday this month. In 1925, the Floyd Collins cave rescue story hit national and global headlines. Throwback Thursday revisits the unusual and unfortunate events that took place at Sand Cave, just outside Mammoth Cave, nearly 100 years ago. 

We have told viewers the story of the Kentucky Cave Wars in the 1920s. With cave entrances all over southern Kentucky and an eagerness to explore, Floyd Collins was one of many cave explorers whose search for new passageways and entrances knew no bounds. In 1925, Floyd set out from Sand Cave, but got stuck 55 feet below ground with a 27-lb. boulder against his ankle. After a few days of not returning, his brother went on a search and discovered his coat at a Sand Cave entrance.

Floyd was close enough to the surface that he could be passed food and water for several days. Rescue efforts came from local agencies, the National Guard, and all over. News of the incredible cave rescue spread in newspapers near and far. Thousands of people flocked to southern Kentucky hoping to catch a glimpse.

After nearly two weeks, they say over five thousand automobiles with license plates from 20 states were parked all over the Mammoth Cave area, and 10 thousand people were there to spectate at this circus. Souvenirs, drinks, and food were sold in a carnival-style. People camped out just waiting to hear the news.

It took rescuers 17 days to get to Floyd Collins. Doctors believed he died on day 14, officially from starvation and exposure. Floyd’s body stayed entombed in the cave for the next couple of months. All of the hoopla ended in a tragedy. Ultimately, Floyd’s body would be buried five times until it was finally laid to rest. But that is another story for another day.

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Throwback Thursday is brought to you by Hart County Tourism.