https://raccoonmountain.com/
https://vbas.org/
The Von Braun Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional astronomers. We are sharing our love of space with the community through our planetarium and observatories located in Monte Sano State Park just east of Huntsville, Alabama.
VBAS was originally founded in 1954 as the Rocket City Astronomical Association, thanks to the efforts of a group of high school students interested in Astronomy lead by Sam Pruitt, along with the help and influence of Wernher von Braun.
https://www.huntsville.org/blog/list/post/huntsvilles-historic-three-caves/
Just two miles from downtown Huntsville, tucked inside a residential area, you’ll find an interesting remnant of local history. Three Caves sits among the trees on Land Trust of North Alabama’s Monte Sano Nature Preserve. Despite its name, it’s actually not a cave at all but a former limestone mine, originally known as Hermitage Quarry.
Beginning in spring 1945, Madison County leased the site to the Madison Limestone Company. For the next seven years, limestone harvested from the ground paved many of Huntsville’s streets and parking lots as the surrounding area quickly grew. To more easily access the higher quality limestone located further underground, a method of mining called “room and pillar” was used. This created the three cave-like openings that give the site its current name. There is also a maze of connecting caverns that extend approximately 6 acres underground.
In 1952, the quarry operation was closed due to skyrocketing costs and growth of the City of Huntsville that encroached closer and closer to the mine. The quarry site remained unused for the next several years with a couple of exceptions. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, officials designated it as a fallout shelter. It has served as a film site for movies and even a music video. (“The Ravagers” in 1978, “What Waits Below” in 1984, and Kansas’ “Reason to Be” in the early eighties).
The Land Trust received the property in 1989 as a donation. It was an 80 acre addition to Monte Sano Nature Preserve. The Land Trust opened Three Caves for public access and offered cave tours as the man-made caverns slowly developed some natural geological formations such as flowstone, cave pearls, stalactites, and stalagmites.
Hikers can take in a view of Three Caves from above on Three Caves Loop. This trail circles the perimeter of the bowl and because of its convenient location in the heart of Huntsville serves as a very popular starting point to access the over 22 mile network of trails that crisscross Monte Sano Nature Preserve. Within a short two mile hike from the Three Caves Trailhead, you can discover everything from waterfalls to natural springs to sinkholes along with a variety of plants and wildlife. It’s an easy escape to nature just minutes from downtown.
Kitschy, cute and cool stop
Adorable stop. You can rent a cabin and stay in the village or take the self guided tour of the village.
You will need to call ahead to be able to view the cabin. Key is kept at city hall
Nice view of the river walking distance to the historic school and earthquake museum
Collection is now up to fifty cars
Adult admission is $10
Open Friday—Sunday 9-5
Cute quick stop located in the police department building. The collection rotates every three months.
Beautiful in the summer when the sunflower fields are in bloom