Cave City Today

Cave City has undergone great change since the Second World War. The town had depended greatly on the railroad and the freight the railroad brought. In May of 1952, a twenty-car train became derailed and crashed into the last freight depot. The demand for freight was so small at that time that the freight business was moved to a room in the passenger depot

The years have been good to Cave City and have seen a remarkable growth in the town. The Square Deal Lumber Company was an early industry. In 1945 the Mammoth Cave Garment Company was established, expanding in 1950, 1960 and 1964. Rolco Manufacturing began making boat trailers in the old Tucker Ford garage in 1972. In recent years, Techno, Visual Displays, and Moonshine Trailers have all located their businesses in Cave City.

In 1960, the population of Cave City was 1,418, and now is about 2,000. A modern post office has been built; a hospital was put into operation between Cave City and Horse Cave; and a new sewer system has been installed.

The phenomenal growth of Cave City, however, has been due to a quite different and uniquely modern industry – tourism. The city was founded as a resort town in the Mammoth Cave Area. Its railroad, businesses, hotels, restaurants and motels in turn have served visitors to the world-famous Mammoth Cave throughout the years. The construction of Interstate 65 brought even more of these services to Cave City to truly fulfill the resort town vision of the Knob City Land Company.

Interstate 65, completed in the late 60’s, has had a marked effect on Cave City. The new expressway bypassed the town, including the many motels, restaurants and other services that had grown up for tourists through the heart of town on U.S. 31W. New and modern restaurants and motels have supplanted the older ones at the interchange south of town. New attractions have been built and generated even more tourism for the Cave Region and Cave City.

Among these attractions are Guntown Mountain, Kentucky Action Park, Alpine Slide, Jesse James Riding Stables, Mammoth Cave Wax Museum, Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum, two chairlifts, Wild and Wonderful Museum, Cave Country Go-Carts, miniature golf courses, Splash Mountain, Bumper Boats and more.

Dinosaur World opened in Cave City on Memorial Day weekend, 2003. This outdoor museum is the second in the United States, opened by Swedish businessman Christer Svensson. Over 100 scientifically accurate models of dinosaurs arranged chronologically in a variety of settings welcome families and students to learn, have fun, or just enjoy a quiet encounter with these lifelike animals.

A further asset to the town’s business and vitality has been the building of the Cave City Convention Center on the northwest side of town. In the year 2002, major renovations and additions were completed with funds secured from the state government in the amount of $3,000,000. A farmer’s market was constructed on the grounds of the Convention Center to enable the local farmers to bring their produce to sell. The economy of Cave City is, to a great extent, based on serving the thousands of tourists attracted to the cave area.

Another asset for the town has been the establishment of several antique shops and malls that have generated visitors not only to Mammoth Cave National Park, but to the downtown area as well.