MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. — On a chilly day in late January, while touring Mammoth Cave, our guide suddenly clapped his hands, plunging us into complete darkness.

We had gathered in a flat area that resembled a small open space within the limestone cave as the guide began recounting the harrowing tale of cave explorer Floyd Collins, who became trapped nearby almost 100 years ago. As he told the story of how Collins accidentally toppled his lantern while trying to escape, the absence of light surrounded the 20 or so visitors, including myself.

This total darkness, deeper than anything I had experienced, lasted around 30 seconds, a stark contrast to the reality that Collins faced for over two weeks, ultimately losing his life before help could arrive. This Thursday marks a hundred years since that fateful entrapment, which played a significant role in the establishment of Mammoth Cave National Park. Here’s a closer look at the events that unfolded.

Who was Floyd Collins?

Floyd Collins is hailed as “one of the greatest cave explorers ever,” as noted by the National Park Service. He discovered Great Crystal Cave in 1917, which his family operated as a tourist location on their farm, now part of Mammoth Cave National Park.

During the competitive “Kentucky Cave Wars,” in which cave owners vied for tourist dollars, the remote location of Crystal Cave led Collins to seek out a more accessible site.

On January 30, 1925, at the age of 37, while investigating Sand Cave, Collins found himself stuck while attempting to escape. Navigating through narrow passages, he accidentally knocked a heavy rock onto his ankle.

Cave guide Jackie Wheet described the incident, saying, “It’s like stepping into a bear trap that shuts on you, and you simply can’t pull away.” Last week, he spoke to a group of media near the entrance of Sand Cave, still closed to the public, where icicles hung above on a chilly 38-degree morning, reminiscent of the conditions Collins faced during his entrapment.

A frantic rescue operation commenced, with news spreading among neighbors and media outlets, eventually attracting attention from reporters nationwide, particularly on February 8, 1925.

“It was a Sunday afternoon, and the media frenzy became so overwhelming that it earned the nickname ‘Carnival Sunday,’” Wheet said. “It’s estimated that around 10,000 people gathered here.”

To manage the crowds, the National Guard was deployed, and the American Red Cross set up tents. Wheet humorously noted, “They were more focused on treating people who had over-imbibed moonshine than on those digging the rescue shaft.”

Rescuers eventually reached him through a 55-foot vertical shaft, only to discover he had already perished. Collins had been trapped for 18 days.

The shaft was closed for safety reasons, Wheet explained, but months later, it was reopened to recover his body.

How did Floyd Collins contribute to the creation of Mammoth Cave National Park?

Following the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916, Congress began exploring new sites for national park designations. With many parks already in the western United States, a study was commissioned to assess potential locations, including the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah. According to Dr. Rickard Toomey, a cave specialist with the park, Mammoth Cave was also “considered at some point.”

“The concept was discussed sporadically over the years,” Wheet added, “but then World War I intervened, and interest faded.”

Although Sand Cave is not part of the Mammoth Cave system, Collins’ tragic accident and the extensive media coverage surrounding it reignited interest in the area, bringing it into the spotlight, according to Toomey. Congress authorized the establishment of the park in 1926, and it officially opened in 1941.

Wheet remarked, “It’s fair to say that Floyd Collins played a role in its becoming a national park, even if that was not his intention.”

His legacy continues in various forms. Singer Vernon Dalhart remembered him in the famous song, “The Death of Floyd Collins.” Collins’ Crystal Cave, a popular tourist destination until the 1960s, was incorporated into the national park in 1961.

This spring, a musical inspired by Collins will debut on Broadway. Earlier versions of the production were showcased in Philadelphia and Off Broadway during the mid-1990s, as reported by The New York Times.

‘The national park helps keep his legacy alive’

To commemorate the anniversary, special events will be held at the Lodge at Mammoth Cave’s Rotunda Room next month.

“The Life and Tragic Death of Floyd Collins” will occur on February 21 at 6:45 p.m., followed by the “Floyd Collins Discussion Panel” featuring experts, including members of Collins’ family, on February 22 at 6:45 p.m. Both events are free and require no prior registration or tickets.

Guides frequently share Collins’ story during regular cave tours and other activities.

Toomey stated, “Incorporating Floyd Collins’ story as one of the park’s central narratives helps to ensure that his legacy continues.”

“Thus, he not only contributed to the establishment of the national park, but the park also plays a role in preserving his memory.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter based in Nashville.