[Rockhounds] Ohio Celestine cave

[Johan Maertens]

Prior to meeting Steve Shimatzki at the Midwest Federation of Mineral societies at his club’s show in 2021, I visited the famous Celestine cave on South Bass Island, Ohio in Lake Erie. 
You can indeed walk through the small cave. It was enlarged and 140 tons of Celestine were removed and sold for industrial use. 
The experience is amazing. Giant Celestine crystals are all around you. 
The explanation by the bar tender aka tour guide is poor at best.It is not an ice age relic. 
What make me wonder is how the cave can be dry. The islands are comprised of karstic limestone. There are no Rivers or creeks on the islands. That is why the cave was found: digging a well. 
The cave may be just above the water level. 
The Heineman wines (the dry ones) are average at best. It is a double fun experience. 
There is a regular cave across the street. That is a cave with speleothems, no Celestine. 

Johan Maertens