What caver wouldn't want to own the longest cave is the state – especially if that state is Tennessee, which boasts more than 8,000 caves? 

In 1988, several cavers dug and enlarged a passage in a small White County, Tennessee known as Blue Spring Cave. A little work paid off big, when the small passage opened up into much larger passage that went for miles and miles. When neighbor Lonnie Carr, was taken into the cave by Gary Chambers and Bill Walter, the trio discovered the Moonscape and Frozen River Trunk. Lonnie was concerned with protecting this and other sections of the cave, so he and Bill Walter met with Bill Johnson, his neighbor who owned the entrance to the cave. It was agreed that Lonnie would manage access to the cave. With some help, Lonnie orchestrated the construction of a gate inside the cave. This was breached several times, and a more secure gate was built at the entrance to the cave. 

For 13 years, Lonnie has allowed thousands of people to visit the cave, which runs underneath his family's farm. To ensure protection of the cave, he talks to the cave leaders to make sure they understand cave conservation, safety, have the right equipment and general common sense. 

After an accident in 2001, Lonnie closed the cave for a short time so that a solution could be made to easy evacuation. With the help of cavers, a location for a second entrance on his family's property was identified, excavated, and a gate installed to continue protection. A bridge was also built inside the cave to allow easier access to the main sections. 

As Lonnie Carr has learned, being a good steward to a cave can be hard work, especially when it is Blue Spring Cave.

Jim Wilbanks, Chairman
Joe Douglas
Roger Haley