De Soto Caverns

In the mid-1920s, Allen W. Mathis, son of Ida Mathis, bought out the other mining partners' interest in the caverns and secured all underground rights to the property and surrounding areas. Throughout the first half-century, DeSoto Caverns was a popular place of exploration for young romantics and teenage spelunkers. In the early 1960s, Mathis began to develop the caverns into a show cave, which was soon opened to the public. Extensive research into the caverns' history revealed some exciting facts. For example, in 1965, an archaeological excavation undertaken by the University of Alabama unearthed the 2,000 year-old Indian burial now on display in DeSoto Caverns. That same year, under the direction of Fred Layton, the caverns were officially opened to the public.

De Soto Caverns Web Site

Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
33.304109 -86.280381


Museum Address:
5181 DeSoto Caverns Parkway
Childersburg, AL

De Soto Caverns Contacts:
Phone: (800) 933-2283