Bluff Dwellers Cave
Noel, MO
Have you ever wanted to explore how ancient Native Americans lived over 8000 years ago?
Join us for a virtual trip through this Native American dwelling turned fallout shelter in the early 50’s that is currently operating as a tourist attraction in southwest Missouri.
Nestled in the quiet river town of Noel, Missouri sits the Bluff Dwellers cave. Exactly as the name implies this cave is formed into the side of a bluff. A bluff that was once exposed high above the plains and hard to access making it a great location for Paleo-Indian tribes is now an easy to access and renovated tourist attraction.
First the Review!
Before I get into the history of the cave I want give my opinion of it real quick. This cave was a blast to tour and shoot! Ray, his wife Ann, and staff were all very knowledgeable of the cave, its formations, and were all super friendly. I got the pleasure of spending a couple days here visiting making multiple trips through the cave and property and they were more than accommodating even with all the reshoots I had to do for various reasons.
Cave photography is notoriously difficult, but if you want a crash course on it check out my blog Here.
The cave is notably the main attraction here, but along side the cave there is also a gift shop/museum, and a vacation property for those who want to stay a few days.
The museum hosts a number artifacts found by the family over the 100+ years the family has been operating the cave.
Time for the history lesson!
The cave was used as a hideout for the Paleo Indians which can date back 14000 years ago. You can even see the evidence of their tribal meetings near the entrance of the cave with the fire markings on the wall. These marking were dated to around 8000 years ago! While it’s unclear if this cave was home to one tribe of Indians or if it was used for more nomadic tribes one thing is certain, it is a cool experience to stand in an area surrounded by such history!
The cave, as we know it today, was founded in 1925 by Arthur Browning grandfather of Ray Bunch who is the current owner/operator of the cave. The cave was stumbled upon by a group of highway surveyors mapping out what is now highway 59. One of the main highways through Noel, Missouri. During the survey and conversations with Arthur Browning they discovered small holes that let out cool air around the bluff and signs of a fresh water stream. All of which are evidence of a cave system. With a little digging an entrance was found about the size of a basketball. With a mix of grit, determination, and an insatiable need for answers Arthur Browning set into the entrance armed with digging tools and a lantern.
Over the course of the next two years Arthur Browning led many excavation groups into the narrow opening eventually reaching larger passages that were tall enough to stand in. After two years of digging and excavating Arthur Browning decided to lease the cave out to J. A. Truit a popular cave promoter to operate the cave and to provide tours to the public. After 3 years the lease was terminated and Arthur took over operating the cave, but the digging didn’t stop. Since then several new passageways have been found, lighting has been installed, and the cave has been transformed into an easy to access attraction. The cave has also been fully mapped.
In the early 50’s with the start of the Cold War came the need for increased fallout shelters should the unthinkable happen. Bluff Dwellers cave was designated a fallout shelter for such an event although, it doesn’t seem to be a well thought out location due to the cave not being air tight and the flowing water that travels through the cave. Now, although the signage is still in place it is for more for novelty reasons.
Bluff Dwellers cave is home to many amazing formations, but seeing is believing.
Transport yourself to the Bluff Dweller cave property and explore for yourself.