Wonder Cave, Union Park postcard 2

This postcard features another inside view of Wonder Cave. Compare it to the postcard from an earlier post.

Union Park Now: The Stairs to Wonder Cave 2

Here is another view of the stairs to Wonder Cave. It was taken in the spring of 2005 so there is less vegetation in the photo than in the other post which was taken during late summer of 2003.

Union Park Now: The Stairs to Wonder Cave

This photo was taken in September 2008. It shows the stairs to Wonder Cave as they appear now. The stairs are located to the right of The Lodge. It's actually quite a steep incline. You can imagine the anticipation of climbing up the stairs to the blinking archway of the cave entrance.

Wonder Cave, Union Park postcard 1

This image shows the interior of Wonder Cave after renovations were complete in 1908. If you look closely, there appears to be water in the lower right-hand corner of the image. In fact, prior to the renovations, trips through the pitch black cave were slippery and treacherous. The renovations included the addition of a compressed walkway, stairs, bridges, and an exit. The entrance of the cave enticed visitors through its archway with blinking lights. The cave was a popular attraction especially because it was so cool in the Summer.

This postcard was used in 1909. According to Iowa Underground (2004) by Greg A. Brick, this cave was originally known as Timmen's Cave. The former lead mine was rediscovered by Greek rail layers as they put in the trolley tracks in 1900 or 1901. The cave is located on the hill south of the Loop. The entrance was bombed shut after the park closed in 1934. At the present time the cave is unstable and off-limits to visitors.