Interstate Caves


Useful Information

Location: Kansas City, Missouri, at the southeast corner of Interstate 435 and 23rd Street.
Open: All year Mon 10-19, Tue, Wed closed, Thu, Fri 10-19, Sat 10-18, Sun 12-17. [2007]
Fee: free [2007]
Classification: SubterraneaCave House ExplainRoom and Pillar Mining
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: Ar=2,800m².
Guided tours: n/a
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: By Design Direct, 8201 E. 23rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64129, Tel: +1-816-833-0002.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Geology


Description

Interstate Caves are owned by the Reeder Family Trust for 30 years. Those huge caves are a result of limestone mining along 23rd Street. Many years ago this was the valley of a tributary of Blue river. The limestone cliffs were quarried for many purposes, and so there was continual need for more. So mining continued underground, in a simple room and pillar technique. Today there are vast caverns along the 23rd Street, which ofer many positive conditions: low heating, no security issues, no disturbances from outside.

The Interstate Caves are now used by a furniture discounter called By Design Direct. It is managed by Peter Kristensen, a former manager at Danish Inspirations in Overland Park. The curved walls of the caves give a futuristic background to the modern furniture. The store has a size of 2,800m².