Legend of the Ohio River Indian Cave (Southern Indiana)

An ancient tunnel underneath the Ohio River? It was the late 1700’s, and famed explorer Daniel Boone was on the Southern Indiana shoreline of the Ohio River. He saw an Indian across the waterway, in Kentucky, and didn’t think too much about it. But a while later, that same man was in Indiana, completely dry, and without a watercraft of any kind. When asked how he got to Indiana, the Indian told Daniel that there was a secret tunnel, under the Ohio River, that only Indians knew about.

While this seems like a far-fetched piece of folklore, there are caves on both sides of the river, that could possibly connect. And given that there are hundreds of miles of caves, in Southern Indiana, it is no stretch of the imagination, to think that one could span beneath the Ohio River.

This film covers the legends details, and visits the caves on both sides of the river, exploring this fascinating story. Come along for a true adventure!

MUSIC LICENSES

[corrob]

i know of a cave system in Crittenden county KY that has not been explored. my ex-wife's family has owned the land forever, there is a natural spring running out from a cave under a large cliffside, her cousin swam up under it, and popped up in a large cavern, he said it was so big his flashlight didn't reach the other side, he described it as an underground lake, and no one other than that family really knows about it. there are still many undiscovered caves near the Ohio river.

[Ryanboy]

I love these videos. I moved to Indiana a year ago not knowing anything about the state except my relatives have lived here for over a hundred years. I have learned more about this state from watching these videos then I could ever learn from any other source and they give me countless locations to explore first hand.

[Ericas-Adventure]

The audio has been great the past couple videos. Mom has been able to understand everything and loves the nature sounds. Thank you.

[beverlyjordan]

I love history and this is just a wonderful piece of it. I enlarged my screen to get the most out of the scenery. Thanks so much for this virtual tour.

[peteblum]

Roger, I’m 73 years old and I’m going to TRY😂 to buy a hundred coffees! But I’ve never bought anything on line before 😳 😂! But a post office box number and address would work 👍 You are worth it 👍 Excellent program as usual 😎

[rebeccamd]

I’m descended from Natives who made cave houses in the Appalachia’s. They went to Kentucky at some point and that’s where their descendants stayed till my dad’s generation, which ended up on the Ohio River in WV. I grew up between WV, Michigan and Oklahoma. I loved exploring the river, streams, mountains and caves of my birth state.

[anyacara]

Thank you Roger. I’ve been watching you for years. I appreciate your stories and field trips in Indiana.

[herojeannabomb]

I am Cherokee RedBird blood on the Sizemore side.. I have heard stories about this cave my whole life. It was considered a hiding spot and meet up point all throughout the 1800's early 1900's I'm sure it exists... although finding it may be a challenge. Our caves here in Kentucky are the longest in the world... not the biggest.. that honor goes to a cave in Vietnam

[nickeyvanzyl]

I love this man's voice, It is so restful.

[donnakaymiller]

I used to go to a Girl Scout camp in Laconia in my pre-teens and teens. We would go spelunking occasionally in the area. It is a very beautiful area. I spent a lot of time just watching the barges on the river go by.

[gregmorgan]

I really enjoy your videos of the legends and mysteries of southern Indiana. Keep it up!

[lindafaulkner]

It's me again. You are a gem for Indiana. Hope they appreciate you. Love ❤️ the trip.

[KSam-jquo]

My husband and I watch all your videos. Thanks so much for sharing all these wonderful stories.

[RobHowell]

Man Roger you’ve never cease to amaze me. I’ve always been enthralled with Native Americans and caves . I’ve been to SOME of these caves and even when I go canoeing at blue river or Turkey Run or anywhere my heads always on a swivel looking for caves or anything the natives might have used for shelter. Your videos keep me even more captivated even at 57 years old and give me drive to keep exploring. Thank you! I believe I’ve binged watched about all of your videos on weekends. Keep them coming!

[pedalingprospector]

I lived in the ozarks of North Central Arkansas as a teenager. Wild caves were everywhere. We'd go hiking in the winter, after a snowfall, just to find new caves. Spent many hours exploring those caves. One of my favorites was one locally know as mud cave, not far from Bull Shoals Lake dam. Most of the first half mile was like waking through a half filled sewer tunnel, except for the fact the water was clean enough for making moonshine, lol. It had about 3 inches of clear water on top of about 3 feet of clay silt suspended in water. Small, dry rooms off to the sides now and then. Thanks for bring back some great memories. 👍

[susankellem]

I am a Southern Indiana native. Many, many caves exist in Southern Indiana around Mauckport and Laconia (pronounced by locals with a long O.) In fact, Harrison County is full of caves. If you can buy a piece of land without an existing sinkhole or one opening up it's a miracle. Folklore has it there are caves running the stretch of highway 135 between Mauckport and Central, Indiana. In fact in 2022 the road started collapsing near Central, Indiana. The state fixed it. Here we are again in 2023 and it is collapsing again. I think the highway engineers need to look for the possibility of a cave roof collapse.

[MukesBoy]

Born and raised in New Albany Indiana. This is an amazingly amazingly cool place

[orchunter]

Keep in mind that the ohio river was much narrower and shallower before the dams were built. That could put the entrances out of reach and underwater today. In all likelihood however keeping something like that from filling with water naturally is virtually impossible. You just don’t find dry cavities under rivers.

[yomamabiarch]

Always a treat to see something new from you, epic, thank you kindly

[debraschepers]

Patoka Lake here. Born n raised! I was here before this Lake was a thought but now I live right on it.