Great Saltpetre Committee

By: John Wisher

Another year is concluding and it is time, to reflect on the accomplishments of this year.

First we must start with Warner Bros. and the filming in Great Saltpetre Cave. The project from start to finish was handled in such a manner as to assure the least amount of impact to the Cave and to the Campground. Bill Carr remained on site for many weeks while the set was built and the actual filming took place. Miles of cable were run into the Cave and production equipment was brought onto the site to allow "Hollywood" to create a cave within our Cave. We still await the opening of the movie titled "Fire Down Below".

While the movie filming and construction was exciting, the wear and tear on the property and the work to put the property back to where it was before, took into the spring months. The cables that Warner Bros. ran into the cave were left behind. Bill Carr and Dave Newman coordinated the efforts to trench and bury all

the cables for power and telephone communication into the, "Big Room". They ran all new lighting along the passage to the "Big Room" and removed all of the old overhead lighting. A new junction box was installed at the "Atlas Pillar" to service the "Big Room". When entering the cave, take the time to appreciate the hard work that was done in the entrance passage. My favorite area is "Bunker Hill" and the striation in the walls.

The roof on the "Ticket House" has been replaced. James Clements and crew removed the old rotted "shake shingles" and replaced them with new underlayment and shingles. Also many thanks to Dennis Schoeny and Chip Brigham for the work they did on the building. Hopefully this year we can continue the work to make this building a museum to the "Saltpetre Era".

With money made from the film the Grotto has purchased a tractor which should allow for the mowing and grounds work for many years. The committee would like to thank Ron Crawford for the many hours he donated as head of the tractor committee. We will begin construction of the garage to house the tractor as soon as possible. The site chosen should be under construction even as you read this page.

Memorial Day weekend found many of our projects coming to fruition and others just beginning. The road to CCIC was dug out and a 20 ft. culvert placed under it to stop deterioration. The Thurber family began construction of a new two holed outhouse above the party camp area. This is a welcome addition to the facility. Many thanks for your hard efforts. A wall was constructed between the kitchen and the pole barn to stop the movement of bugs and other critters. Thanks to Bill Thoman and Dennis Schoeny for their fine drywall work. Mike Wuerth and Phil Henry spent a considerable amount of time seeding various areas of the grounds to repair the seasonal damage. John Boyer coordinated the work on the new climbing tower with the help of Mark Seyfang, Greg Matulionis and Jerry Unverferth. This project required skills far beyond those of mortal cavers and they are to be congratulated for their efforts. Ron Crawford and Wayne Barton removed enough rocks from the mowed areas to build a small castle and now have the place looking like a golf course.

I do not want to forget one of the larger events held at the Cave and campground this year. On Mother's Day, an Open House was held at the cave for anyone interested in seeing the cave. This is the only time each year that the cave is open to the general public. Over 800 people showed up to tour the cave and hear the stories of its history as told to them by their guides. When the tours were finished, there was food waiting for them at the pole barn. Many thanks to all of the guides and to Pat Johnson who worked hard to provide food for all of these hungry people.

This is your campground to use, but remember those who spend many hours keeping it in the great condition that you have found it in. Do not abuse it and if you get a chance thank them all.

John E. Wisher

GSP Chairman

NSS 23851