Cave-In-Rock: Ohio River Pirate and Bandit Hideout - Southern Illinois State Park

Cave-In-Rock is a 55 foot wide cave that was carved out of limestone rock by water thousands of years ago. This cave sits on the Bank of the Ohio River in southern Illinois, just across the river from Kentucky and was first discovered in 1739 by French explorers. By the 1790’s this became a hide out for river pirates, bandits, murders and fugitives. Samuel Mason and James Ford, Isaiah L. Potts, America's first serial killers the Harpe brothers and counterfeiters all used this cave as a villain lair. It's even rumored that Jesse James once visited this cave.
I love history and I get out and go find it every week! I have found some amazing history just by getting out and exploring!
I try to pronounce everything properly. I really do try, so please forgive me if I don't pronounce something properly. :) Be Nice!
#cave #pirates #river #statepark #hideout

[@AlaskanEsquire-nm4mj]

We ended up landing here for the Eclipse - it was amazing, if you go check out the little restaurant there, Kaylor's I think it's called. We watched that little ferry all day, then skipped it before we realized the next bridge was like, an hour away in the wrong direction.

[@JulianGower]

Wow, I bet that was amazing seeing the eclipse there! Thank you for sharing that. And yes, that restaurant is an amazing little place isn’t it?

[@larryfischer638]

What a cool place to visit, a lot of history a bandit hideaway, thanks for the video and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@JulianGower]

It was a very fun place to visit with my family. I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas!!

[@debkirk1933]

Samuel Mason was my relative. Thanks for the tour!

[@JulianGower]

Very cool!

[@CrownJewelDiscoveries]

Thanks for sharing your adventure. Cave-In-Rock seems like an interesting place. I'll definitely make a plan to take a ride out that way to experience it for myself. Happy travels!

[@JulianGower]

If you do go. You should try to go across the river to Kentucky to see mantle rock. It’s a rock shelter that the Cherokee Indians used on the trail of tears.

[@CrownJewelDiscoveries]

@@JulianGower I've added it to my list of stop offs. Someone on another channel suggested stopping by Yoders and the Amish store. My trip to Cave In Rock suddenly went from a day trip to a weekend getaway. 😉Thanks for the suggestion.