There one in Weaver, alabama that was used as a night club too, it’s in calhoun/benton county
Lisa Miller
I have been so curious about this Bangor cave and excited to read and see some pictures. I am wondering who bought the property?
John Guthery
Around February 2010 a picture was taken at Bangor cave by a photographer, we never got his name but he said he was from Birmingham. The picture was of me & my (now) wife; at the opening of the cave. We would love to make contact with the photographer.
I’ve been there several times. You use to be able to park on the side of 31 and walk up to it, but somebody bought the property a few years ago and posted it. I heard that they were cleaning the graffiti off the walls with the intention of restoring it, but I don’t know if that is true or not
Blake, I loved the article on your timeline about the Shot Tower in N.O.. I had never heard of it. Reminded me of the old Yancey
D
eringer and Pahoo TV shows. Thank you!
Someone bought it and closed the road access. I grew up right near it and used to roam all through it. Not sure what they’re planning. It’s very cool, as is Bryan’s cave which is nearby, but also no longer “legally”accessible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabasha_Street_Caves
This is similar to the Wabasha Street Caves in MN w/ nightclub and all. (I relocated to AL from MN.) As wiki says, however, Wabasha is technically a mine and not a cave. Cool nonetheless.
Been there many times and avid caver of tge many caves in thT area . Historically the cave was the scene for many passer bys from the railroad . The back entrance was very popular . Maybe a few know that KKK actually shut down the cave during early days Prohibition.
Marie Goldman
The new owner is Peter Keeku. He’s from Florida. He has finally gotton all the nasty graffiti off all the beautiful cave walls and floor etc. He has made a beautiful rock patio at the entrance and put tables and chairs on it. The inside of the stage room and the bar has been completely finished. He has a grand trail all around the grounds. He put in small bridges for the walkways across the streams. He also purchased the old Bangor firehouse and is fixing it up to become his home. It’s true it is privately owned by this handsome bachelor. I know him personally, he’s a good friend and he owns homes and land in 3 different states. Hope this clears up some gossip about “The Bangor Cave”. By the way, why it is closed to the public is because people had torn rocks away, garbage everywhere, beer bottles broken all over and people would have parties, get intoxicated, start fires an not put them out, the acreage has burned away twice. The fire dept has been called out and it’s volunteer and has been out a lot of money for man power and things used for cleanup products. If people had of been more careful and didn’t vandalize it might still have passage to the public, but it would have cost to much for insurance for it.
Use to go there when i was a teenager alot and go thourgh the cave. Took my daughter a good bit but she would only go to the bar part. It was an awesome place i loved it there.
Ron Baehne
Donna love the article. I have had the chance to meet with Mr. Peter Keeku and interview him on Bangor Cave. Very nice gentleman. It is ashame what some people will do, Peter has worked very hard to try to preserve one of our Alabama historical sites. I wish people would respect one of natures wonders and not vandalize the property. Hope to catch back up with Peter to take some more pics of the cave. This property is private property and should be respected as such.
Donna R Causey
Thanks Ron, I’m glad someone owns it now and it is being protected. It’s sad that once the public has access to historic sites like this, then some vandalize the property to ruin the opportunity for all to see it. If you take some more pics, email a few here and I’ll add them to the story.
J. Arnold
Took my children and grandchildren to it many times. One time we heard a strange noise. It was a Volkswagen coming out of the cave. Would like to visit it again someday.
BDJ
The same reason this cave is closed holds true for many landowner caves across this state. Alabama does have a cave law in place to prevent this that needs to be enforced as people in this state take these special places for granted and continue to trash one after another.
Lance
was someone not aware that Shelta Caverns in Huntsville was a club 30 years before this?
The underground tuscumbia went from the palace to the court house. Underground Florence went in a Wye from the federal building to court street by way of shoals theater.
Used to go there while ‘playing hooky’. There was a large safe with the door blown off in there in the late 50’s. It was rather difficult to get to the entrance at that time.
Heard similar stories…..one such story was “a person backing out with his winnings with a gun backup”……this was from grandparents who lived a few miles away….back in the day….
Been there. Flashlights and all. Saw pics when it was in operation, it was a majestic place. I especially remember the bar made of carved rock and the theater room (projection room). Talked to some folks that had parents that had been there in its heyday. There was also the remains of a foundation on top of the cave that was told to have been a brothel. It is a shame that this place could have not been made into a tourist site. Banger Cave was awesome to see even with a flashlight and it had been stripped of chandeliers and marble floors. I’d you go to the web site, Banger Cave Blount county, ala. You should still be able to see old pics.
The place was on the market in 2010 for $100,000. It was sold to someone who lives in Florida. I’m not sure why the county didn’t purchase it. It would make a great tourist attraction.
We had a really nice cave right beside our farmhouse in woodville. It was a nite club of sorts as David stored all the beer and wine he made in it until some bodies found it and consumed it all and left us empty bottles. I can assure you they left pretty high as it was all pretty strong stuff.
[…] sides contain some caves and many lime sinks and big springs. The best known of the caves is Bangor Cave, and of the springs, perhaps the Big Spring southwest of Guntersville. Blount Springs is situated […]
Please, don’t try to visit. It is now private property and the owner has placed “No Trespassing” signs on it. There was group of friends that decided to visit Bangor Cave in the last couple of years; someone broke their leg, and the Rescue Squad had a hard time getting to them and getting him out.
People around Kylmulga Cave, now commercialized as Desoto Caverns, make the same claim about a night club operating there. It’s in Talladega County near Childersburg. Open to the public.
Back even earlier the Indians used the cave to store food as it was cooler in there. Its close to the border of the Cherokee and Creek Tribes. They also used the cool dark area to promote mold in hollow stumps filled with water that would be used medically.
Back then it was black and accumulated on the insides of the wooden stumps underwater and today its called Penicillin.
Tom Wofford
Al Capone never visited here, he was in federal prison the entire time this nightclub was in operation, which is not exactly hard to figure out.
Went there a while back, truly interesting sight. Shame they had to cut access to it, although it didn’t appear to be very safe even when I went years back.
In my earlier spulunking days, I had covered every inch of that place. There are some hidden surprises there. It saddens me to think of it being vandalized.
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So interesting
Great story.
There one in Weaver, alabama that was used as a night club too, it’s in calhoun/benton county
I have been so curious about this Bangor cave and excited to read and see some pictures. I am wondering who bought the property?
Around February 2010 a picture was taken at Bangor cave by a photographer, we never got his name but he said he was from Birmingham. The picture was of me & my (now) wife; at the opening of the cave. We would love to make contact with the photographer.
Wow, Anna McCollum! this is awesome……
wow this is very interesting
I’ve been there several times. You use to be able to park on the side of 31 and walk up to it, but somebody bought the property a few years ago and posted it. I heard that they were cleaning the graffiti off the walls with the intention of restoring it, but I don’t know if that is true or not
Blake, I loved the article on your timeline about the Shot Tower in N.O.. I had never heard of it. Reminded me of the old Yancey
D
eringer and Pahoo TV shows. Thank you!
Very cool
Did someone purchase the cave or has the state taken over? Its an awesome place!
Angel M Smith
Angel M Smith
My grandmother was born here and for years has retold several stories of her and grandpa hanging out here while “courting!”
Greg Cleveland
We need to indiegogo this sand turn it into a cool hang out place
Someone bought it and closed the road access. I grew up right near it and used to roam all through it. Not sure what they’re planning. It’s very cool, as is Bryan’s cave which is nearby, but also no longer “legally”accessible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabasha_Street_Caves
This is similar to the Wabasha Street Caves in MN w/ nightclub and all. (I relocated to AL from MN.) As wiki says, however, Wabasha is technically a mine and not a cave. Cool nonetheless.
Great post Bear as always
Been there many times and avid caver of tge many caves in thT area . Historically the cave was the scene for many passer bys from the railroad . The back entrance was very popular . Maybe a few know that KKK actually shut down the cave during early days Prohibition.
The new owner is Peter Keeku. He’s from Florida. He has finally gotton all the nasty graffiti off all the beautiful cave walls and floor etc. He has made a beautiful rock patio at the entrance and put tables and chairs on it. The inside of the stage room and the bar has been completely finished. He has a grand trail all around the grounds. He put in small bridges for the walkways across the streams. He also purchased the old Bangor firehouse and is fixing it up to become his home. It’s true it is privately owned by this handsome bachelor. I know him personally, he’s a good friend and he owns homes and land in 3 different states. Hope this clears up some gossip about “The Bangor Cave”. By the way, why it is closed to the public is because people had torn rocks away, garbage everywhere, beer bottles broken all over and people would have parties, get intoxicated, start fires an not put them out, the acreage has burned away twice. The fire dept has been called out and it’s volunteer and has been out a lot of money for man power and things used for cleanup products. If people had of been more careful and didn’t vandalize it might still have passage to the public, but it would have cost to much for insurance for it.
Use to go there when i was a teenager alot and go thourgh the cave. Took my daughter a good bit but she would only go to the bar part. It was an awesome place i loved it there.
Donna love the article. I have had the chance to meet with Mr. Peter Keeku and interview him on Bangor Cave. Very nice gentleman. It is ashame what some people will do, Peter has worked very hard to try to preserve one of our Alabama historical sites. I wish people would respect one of natures wonders and not vandalize the property. Hope to catch back up with Peter to take some more pics of the cave. This property is private property and should be respected as such.
Thanks Ron, I’m glad someone owns it now and it is being protected. It’s sad that once the public has access to historic sites like this, then some vandalize the property to ruin the opportunity for all to see it. If you take some more pics, email a few here and I’ll add them to the story.
Took my children and grandchildren to it many times. One time we heard a strange noise. It was a Volkswagen coming out of the cave. Would like to visit it again someday.
The same reason this cave is closed holds true for many landowner caves across this state. Alabama does have a cave law in place to prevent this that needs to be enforced as people in this state take these special places for granted and continue to trash one after another.
was someone not aware that Shelta Caverns in Huntsville was a club 30 years before this?
It’s a shame we can’t get in there now. I would love to visit this place!
My peoples is from there!!!
Frank Nall. I’ve heard about this place. You?
I don’t think I wanna be drunk that bgadly to go in there!
Need to check out the Rattlesnake Saloon up in the Shoals area.
Desoto cave was a speakeasy in the prohibition years as was the dismals . And every other hole in the ground I suspect.
The underground tuscumbia went from the palace to the court house. Underground Florence went in a Wye from the federal building to court street by way of shoals theater.
at least the only one in Blount County.
Would like for the current owner to open it up again in some kind of venue.
Martha Gilliland
Exactly where is the cave located? I know where the interstate is where 31 ends. Then Top Hat, hwy 7, highway 9. What what landmark would I look for?
old highway 31 north of. Top Hat BBQ .on right thru curves railroad runs parallel with you .
There was a club in DeSoto Caverns also
There was an underground Club (cave) in Huntsville, AL do some research.
Used to go there while ‘playing hooky’. There was a large safe with the door blown off in there in the late 50’s. It was rather difficult to get to the entrance at that time.
Misti Baty
Katherine Williams McRee
No trespassing now by orders of owners. https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p960x960/10848935_590655704367608_7557068914648195585_o.jpg
Yes, the current owner is restoring it and doesn’t need any trespassers or vandals that have frequented it in the past
I understand that Al Capone would frequent Bangor Cave.
Heard similar stories…..one such story was “a person backing out with his winnings with a gun backup”……this was from grandparents who lived a few miles away….back in the day….
Been there. Flashlights and all. Saw pics when it was in operation, it was a majestic place. I especially remember the bar made of carved rock and the theater room (projection room). Talked to some folks that had parents that had been there in its heyday. There was also the remains of a foundation on top of the cave that was told to have been a brothel. It is a shame that this place could have not been made into a tourist site. Banger Cave was awesome to see even with a flashlight and it had been stripped of chandeliers and marble floors. I’d you go to the web site, Banger Cave Blount county, ala. You should still be able to see old pics.
The cave that started it all for me 🙂
been there a lot part of the old bar is still there in the corner on the left as you get in there
The place was on the market in 2010 for $100,000. It was sold to someone who lives in Florida. I’m not sure why the county didn’t purchase it. It would make a great tourist attraction.
Now the closest thing we have in AL is the rattlesnake saloon.
Correction: Huntsville had one too.
There are dozens of uniquities about our state. Not all of them were listed in that, was it 3rd or 4th grade, textbook?
We had a really nice cave right beside our farmhouse in woodville. It was a nite club of sorts as David stored all the beer and wine he made in it until some bodies found it and consumed it all and left us empty bottles. I can assure you they left pretty high as it was all pretty strong stuff.
I remember hearing my grandfather talking about going there when he was young.
Been there
Becky King Wilkinson
My father was from Bangor. I have been in the cave a years ago. I as told the governor came by train to the club. The place to be years ago
Been there , kinda creepy but cool,
I had been there before with my uncle Charles Dollar and my buddy Brit Sullivan. Good times and a cool cave.
[…] sides contain some caves and many lime sinks and big springs. The best known of the caves is Bangor Cave, and of the springs, perhaps the Big Spring southwest of Guntersville. Blount Springs is situated […]
Please, don’t try to visit. It is now private property and the owner has placed “No Trespassing” signs on it. There was group of friends that decided to visit Bangor Cave in the last couple of years; someone broke their leg, and the Rescue Squad had a hard time getting to them and getting him out.
That was not Bangor. It was a cave in Smoke Rise.
Wrong there was a bar in Leeds Alabama in a cave back years ago ..I use to hear old timers talking about it .
One in DeSoto Caverns /Kymulga Cave as well
There was one in Murfreesboro Tennessee out near the V.A. on 231N.
I’ve been through it
Not the only underground nightclub in America, only underground nightclub in America until you get to the next underground nightclub in America.
I have seen least A half-dozen of these here and there. And of course they all say they are the only one.
People around Kylmulga Cave, now commercialized as Desoto Caverns, make the same claim about a night club operating there. It’s in Talladega County near Childersburg. Open to the public.
Wesley went there all the hiking
Back even earlier the Indians used the cave to store food as it was cooler in there. Its close to the border of the Cherokee and Creek Tribes. They also used the cool dark area to promote mold in hollow stumps filled with water that would be used medically.
Back then it was black and accumulated on the insides of the wooden stumps underwater and today its called Penicillin.
Al Capone never visited here, he was in federal prison the entire time this nightclub was in operation, which is not exactly hard to figure out.
Went there a while back, truly interesting sight. Shame they had to cut access to it, although it didn’t appear to be very safe even when I went years back.
Visited Bangor Cave in the early 1950s while attending St Bernard’s in Cullman.
One more time, not the only underground nightclub in America, not even remotely. Underground nightclubs in caves are common, a dime a dozen!
The cave entrance behind the national speleological society office in Huntsville Alabama was a dance hall for years during that era.
You obviously didn’t read the entire article. At that time it was billed as the only underground nightclub in America. 1937-1939.
It may have been billed as that but it was not in fact the only underground night club in the US; there were many, especially during Prohibition
Paul Poag it wasn’t
In my earlier spulunking days, I had covered every inch of that place. There are some hidden surprises there. It saddens me to think of it being vandalized.
I visited the cave many times in the 1960s and ’70s.
Isn’t Desoto Caverns in Alabama too?
Yes
DeSoto Caverns in Childersburg was a night club in the prohibition days according to my mother-in-law.
[…] Bangor Cave ca. 1930s (Library of Congress) […]
This is on privately owned property now. Apparently the owner is adamant about people staying out of the area due to safety concerns.
Kerry Sanders can’t blame him these days with our liability environment.
Clem Clapp Very true.
This is an interesting read. Amazing place back in the’30’s.
Been in it many times…
Abby Rose Melson since you like history so much clink on the link and read this!
alan wisdom
Kylmulga Cave, now DeSoto Caverns, near Childersburg also had an underground nightclub with moonshine and gambling. Cops raided it.
Jim Reeder I remember that place…
Went there and camped,70deg that day,snow the next morning…we had shorts