On March 8, 2018, the Smallin Cave Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It’s located at 3575 North Smallin Road in the vicinity of Ozark, Missouri and about 16 miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri.
This district includes among other things three caves. The Smallin Cave is a chief item of interest in the district. It’s also known as the Smallin Civil War Cave. Located on the north side of Finley River, the entrance is 100 feet wide by 50-60 feet high. It’s believed to be one of the largest and possibly longest caves in Missouri.
…one of the most remarkable formations of the cave is a massive half dome flowstone known as Indian Ladder, which features handholds that date to early human occupation. (Source.)
Indian Ladder (2010).Photo byFacebook/Smallin Civil War Cave.
Interestingly, historic and prehistoric visits to the cave are recorded through carvings and inscriptions. According to archaeological work, it’s been used for over 8,500 years.
A raised concrete walkway was installed to about 550 feet inside the cave from the Visitor’s Center that began in 1961. This was for the purpose of Civil War Cave commercial tours. In the early 1960s, electricity was hung through the cave, which was rewired after 2009.