Giboney Cave EarthCache
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This Earthcache is located at Giboney Cave at Doling Park in
Springfield, Mo. NOTE: YOU CAN NOT ACTUALLY ENTER THE CAVE. YOU
ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ENTER IT TO LOG THE CACHE. IT IS ACCESSED BY
PERMIT ONLY. MORE INFO BELOW.
HISTORY AND INFORMATION
The area where the Giboney Cave is located was originally owned by
early Springfield settlers, John and James Giboney. It is said that
they found the cave after looking for a lost cow.
In 1882 the land was sold to J.M. Doling, an early Springfield
businessman. He turned the area into an amusement park with rides,
including the famous Shoot the Chutes and a spring powered Merry Go
Round, and turned Giboney Cave into a show cave.
The cave was a big attraction for visitors who came to see its
6-foot tall waterfall.
In 1929, the land was sold to the city of Springfield and turned
into a public park. Soon after turning into a park the rides were
slowly dismantled. In the 60s and 70s the park was primarily known
for its roller skating rink. If you would like to learn more or see
some pictures from the historical park visit
Doling Park History
Today the park has a playground, a pond full of ducks and geese,
walking trails, a family center, and tennis courts.
Giboney Cave is now the Parks and Recreation Board's
Outdoor-Underground Educational-Adventure Recreation Cave. The cave
is used as an outdoor classroom and tours are given at different
times of the year.
The cave is locked off by a gate and can only be entered by permit
from the Springfield Greene County Park Board. For more information
you can contact Melvin Johnson at (417) 833-8647 or
mjohnson@springfieldmo.gov.
Please follow all park regulations and times. Doling Park is open
from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
EDUCATIONAL INFO
Many caves around the world are examples of Karst Topography. This
type of topography is caused by the gradual dissolution of bedrock
materials like limestone, which is very common in Missouri. Karst
features are made when mildly acidic water containing C02 (the same
stuff that makes the bubbles in your soda pop). Water (H20) mixed
with the carbon dioxide (C02) creates H2CO3, which can eat through
soluble bedrock like limestone. As time goes by the acid slowly
dissolves the bedrock causing cracks and openings, as those
openings get bigger more water can flow through them. This process
can form features like sink holes and caves.
HOW TO CLAIM THIS EARTHCACHE
In order to claim this cache you must go to the posted coordinates
and answer the following questions and take a picture of yourself
at the cave site.
1) Outlaws frequently used caves as a place to hide out from law
men. According to the plaque outside the cave, what famous outlaw
is said to have stayed in this cave?
2) Just inside the gate blocking Giboney Cave is a big
thermometer. Caves have a relatively constant temperature. Record
the temperature.
Please email me the answers to those questions and upload a picture
of yourself at the site.
Any logs not meeting the requirements will be
deleted.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)