THE ARCHITECTURE WHICH DEFINES OUR LANDSCAPE IS A TANGIBLE PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE HISTORY. WHEN HISTORIC STRUCTURES ARE DEMOLISHED, A PART OF OURSELVES IS RELEGATED TO MEMORY AND CONDEMNED TO BE FORGOTTEN. IN THE REDISCOVERY OF OUR ABANDONED, OFF-LIMITS, OR OTHERWISE HIDDEN ENVIRONMENTS, I DOCUMENT THEIR EXISTENCE AS WELL AS OUR OWN THROUGH THE PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE ADVENTURES PRESENTED HERE
The Lemp/Cherokee Cave has its own unique history (and mysteries) associated with it which are mostly intertwined with, but in some cases independent of, the Lemp Brewery in Saint Louis, Missouri. A handful of notable authors have contributed to the history of the brewery itself, but in the case of the cave there is one "must-read". It is Missouri Speleology Volume 58 by Joe Light. This is the definitive work on the subject; Everything which could be known about the cave, by the experts who documented and compiled that information, is included therein. I have no desire, nor ability, to compete in that arena.
What follows below is a comprehensive visual tour of the entire Lemp/Cherokee Cave which lies beneath the Lemp Brewery. My contributions to this topic will primarily consist of photography and video of the cave which I captured on various expeditions and which will serve to expand upon the existing documentation of the site. This article also includes maps of the cave along with some notable historic photos and information.
Rumors about a spooky brewery under which a legendary cave is said to exist (a cave which contains unbelievable features like a theater and a heated pool) would have any reasonable person dying to know and/or see more. And yet, the visual documentation of the cave up to this point has always been rather limited. Even the MSS book only includes a few photos and while they are indeed high-quality, they could be described as more of a highlight reel than a comprehensive portrayal of the space. Photography, of course, was not the purpose or driving factor of that book. That's where we fit in.
I will address various Lemp rumors in an upcoming update, but I'll bring up the most persistent one right now: There is no alternate route into or out of this cave and there hasn't been for a very long time. My colleagues and I followed every last possible crawlspace/passage/etc throughout this cave on many different trips. There is no-one alive today who has accessed this cave from any "nearby house/business' basement", etc. Anyone who says otherwise is either delusional or lying/spreading false rumors. Furthermore, the haunted house never went into the cave and it still doesn't. While their misleading advertisements may claim that they do, they definitely do not. The haunted house extends no further than the cellars just outside of the cave. And the "Iron Door" door to the cave in the cellars is now the last/only access to the cave.
Maps of Lemp/Cherokee Cave
The above map shows the Lemp/Cherokee Cave in 1946, shortly after the excavations had just begun and several years before their completion. The excavations at this point were illustrated by the hash marked passage in the upper right. Prior to being expanded for use as a short-lived tourist attraction called Cherokee Cave, which I will discuss below, the original boundaries of Lemp's cave are, as shown in the map: from the spiral staircase in the back of the theater on the left to the far edge of the "Swimming Pool" to the right, along with the two passageways which branch off below them. Note that the "Impassible water channel" is basically a small loop which connects to different points of the cave which can be seen in the 1962 map on one end as the "Air Raid Shelter" and on the other end it comes out just behind the pool. The portion of the cave shown in this map is also found in the top left (and flipped about 90 degrees clockwise) in the below, larger, 1962 map.
This is a complete map of the Lemp/Cherokee Cave following the 1940s excavations which significantly expanded the cave. This map is the result of a professional survey made of the cave just prior to the 1962 construction of Interstate 55 which cut off and destroyed a large section of the cave directly after this survey was completed. Essentially, the area labeled "Cherokee Lake" was walled off below which the cave was destroyed and filled in order to provide a solid foundation for the new interstate above. To better illustrate, see this version, where the red line shows approximately where the cave now terminates at the highway. Both passages that had previously connected to Cherokee Lake now terminate at their respective sections of the same highway foundation wall. Drainage for the cave was routed via 12" pipes which run below the highway. There have long been rumors and speculation about where that drain passage may now lead on the other side of the highway. But that question was answered long ago; the persons who surveyed the cave followed the passageway as far as a human physically could, at which point it tapers off and is impassible.
Then and now
The Lemp portion of the cave circa ~1905. This is the only Lemp-era historical photo of the cave to exist anywhere that I know of. It shows a boardwalk around the Pool and the Masonry Walls behind it. The photographer was standing near where the circled number "10" is indicated on the above 1962 map. [From a postcard in my personal collection]
The Lemp portion of the cave circa ~2010. Similar perspective as the 1905 photo.
A Tour of The Lemp/Cherokee Cave - Modern Day
Any proper tour of the cave would necessarily reference the above 1962 map for directions and notable landmarks.
The tour begins at "The Iron Door" (top left of the map). The Iron Door is in one of the deepest cellars below the Lemp Brewery and it is now the only way in to or out of the cave. From the first intersection (where the Pool is located) the Theater is to the left. At the back end of the theater is a shaft and the destroyed remains of a spiral staircase to the surface (this entrance was once located within the grounds of the residence of Adam Lemp [now demolished/not the current Lemp mansion] and it was used to provide a clandestine point of entry for theater performers). The staircase was long ago destroyed and the manhole lid which caps it off is welded shut. Returning to the intersection at the pool, you would pass beneath the "Steel ladder in ceiling shaft" (this leads to a small tunnel in the ceiling which is entirely collapsed/filled). The first pool is located here on the left and beyond that, through a masonry wall, you would encounter another intersection. To the right is another Pool. Continuing right, past the pool there are a couple of masonry walls with a pair of shafts between them. Beyond that, a curious bottle shaped drain was constructed in the floor whose crystal clear water occasionally harbors a species of blind albino cave crustaceans. Beyond the drain, debris fills the space to the ceiling beyond which the Lemp portion of the cave terminates at a dead end which is labeled "Filled Shaft" on the map. Back at the intersection of the Pools and turning right would lead beyond the Lemp portion of the cave and cross over into the Cherokee Cave expansion. Past the "Bone Area" is a 4-way junction including the "Air Raid Shelter" to the left (this was merely a cheesy display piece during the Cherokee Cave attraction and not an actual shelter of any kind). The "Air Raid Shelter" is just a perpetually muddy/water-filled loop back to the area just behind the Pool. Directly across the junction from the "Air Raid Shelter" is a winding passageway which terminates at the remains of Cherokee Lake and the impenetrable highway foundation wall. Back at the junction, there is a large staircase which leads up to the next passageway which contains the Peccary Cemetery and Upper Passage along with the highest density of natural formations in the whole cave. This passageway terminates at the Black Dahlia formation around which is a short wall which contains a pool of water around it called the Wishing Well. To the right is a short staircase down a quarried tunnel which winds down past a variety of interesting looking nooks and crannies which are all dead ends. The main passageway continues down and ultimately terminates at the highway foundation wall which represents the far end of the modern-day cave. The entire passage between the Black Dahlia and this end of the Cherokee Lake Highway Wall is often devoid of oxygen.
The Entrance to Lemp/Cherokee Cave
This is a view of the cave entrance from the Iron Door facing down into the Refrigerator Doorway
Looking back at the refrigerator doorway/cave entrance
Looking back at the cave entrance from the first passageway
Heading into the cave
This is a full length view of the entrance tunnel from the first intersection. Some pipes litter the ground on the left foreground and there's a concrete slab on the right. This concrete slab very likely once housed a compressor or small engine of some sort. The path to the Theater is out of frame directly to the right. Pool area out of frame to left.
This is the first intersection in the cave facing the Pool which is hidden behind the debris wall in center. Theater path is out of frame to left. Entrance tunnel directly behind.
The THEATER
A view of the path to the Theater from the intersection. Pool #1 out of frame directly to the right/rear of this vantage point.
Various interesting formations along the path to the Theater
The largest of the formations along the path to the Theater
Doorway to the Theater
Just inside the Theater. An old light fixture is visible on the ceiling and the collapsed stage decorations are decaying in a large pile in the middle of the room beyond which a doorway leads to the ruins of the old spiral staircase. The ceiling in the theater retains a hint of the sky blue paint with which it was once covered
Theater decorations decaying on the ground. These decorations were allegedly made of plaster and painted to represent outdoor scenery
Theater decorations decaying on the ground
An old iron gate with calcium deposits lies amongst the stage rubble
Ruins of the destroyed spiral staircase which used to provide a clandestine entry point for theater performers. The lid above is welded shut and has long been guarded by overzealous security personnel of the neighboring business.
A view of the theater looking back at the entrance from the stage area
A view of the light fixture, doorway, stalactites and the ceiling of the cave Theater
This "steel ladder in ceiling shaft" in the first intersection leads to a small tunnel in the ceiling which is collapsed/filled. We investigated this and verified it is entirely collapsed by borrowing the ladder seen in this photo and sticking it up into this shaft. When we were finished, we returned the ladder back to its original location (and only slightly muddy).
POOL
This is a view of one end of the Pool at the first intersection with the Theater path just behind. Steel ladder in ceiling just out of frame and entrance tunnel out of frame to the right
This is a view of the other end of the Pool showing walls which had been constructed around it along with what may have been an iron railing rusting away in the water.
Closeup of the Pool wall
This view is from the second intersection facing back toward the theater in the distance. Pool #1 is to the right. Pool #2 is out of frame to left. Passage to "Bone Area" directly behind this vantage point.
This view, which is approximately the same view captured on the 1905 postcard, is taken from the second intersection facing Pool #2 showing Masonry Walls and doorways beyond. Pool #1 out of frame to the right and "Bone Area" would be to the left
Lemp Brewery Cave Crustacean in a floor drain just past the pools
Investigating the floor drain
Floor drain curves to the left and disappears into the unknown
Bone Area
Heading away from Pool #2 into the "Bone Area" (as it is labeled on the map) towards 4-way junction
"Bone Area"
"Bone Area"
"Bone Area"
"Bone Area"
Looking back at "Bone Area" with 4-way junction just behind this vantage point.
The 4-Way Junction / "Air Raid Shelter"
Looking across the 4-Way junction with a large staircase at center. To the left and behind is the "Air Raid Shelter" loop. Straight ahead is the Peccary Cemetery and Upper Passage. Out of frame to the right is the passageway to the Cherokee Lake/Highway wall
This photo is looking down at the base of the staircase which climbs up to the right. The "Air Raid Shelter" is the area behind and partially obscured by the wall in the center. The ladder in the bottom of the photo provides access to the 4-way junction. There were no stairs on this side because the Cherokee Cave tour of the 1950s didn't go to the Lemp portion of the cave beyond this junction.
Looking over the edge of the staircase into the "Air Raid Shelter" loop
Dead end
Dead end
View of ladder and the passageway to Cherokee Lake from the stairs
Passage to Cherokee Lake
Stairs in passageway to Cherokee Lake
Passage to Cherokee Lake
Cherokee Lake and Highway wall
Cherokee Lake, Highway wall and 12" drainage tube
Back at the 4-way junction at top of the stairs looking down in direction of Pools. Air Raid Shelter to the right just out of frame
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage
Wide view across the 4-way junction from inside the Peccary Cemetery area, just past the top of the stairs. Air Raid Shelter out of frame to the right. Top of stairs barely visible.
Peccary Cemetery area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Stalactites
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area
Peccary Cemetery/Upper Passage area. I took a photo of this because I thought it might have been a bone fragment. As I'm not a boneologist, I cannot confirm whether it's bone or not.
Black Dahlia
Black Dahlia and Wishing Well
Black Dahlia and Wishing Well
Black Dahlia and Wishing Well
Black Dahlia and Wishing Well
Black Dahlia and Wishing Well
Quarried Tunnel and passageway to far end of cave
Quarried Tunnel stairs. Note that this area is usually devoid of oxygen and thus rather unsafe.
Quarried Tunnel stairs
Quarried Tunnel
Water on floor
Water on floor
The Narrows
Dead end
Beyond "Low Wall"
More dead ends beyond "Low Wall".
Roots dangling from the ceiling which resemble spaghetti
Muddy passage to far end of cave
The far end of the cave terminating at the highway wall and lots of thick mud
Cherokee Cave
Cherokee Cave was opened as a tourist attraction in 1950 by Lee Hess, a pharmaceutical manufacturer. It took six years of tedious excavation and construction during which historic discoveries of extinct peccary were made. Within 5 years of Cherokee Cave finally opening for business it was already being threatened with demolition by the state who decided on this as the best location for a new highway. By 1961, the cave attraction Hess had spent so long excavating and constructing was shut down, its contents sold and Lee Hess was dying of cancer. Source: MSS Volume 58
I might fill this part out a little bit more in the future, but here's the thing. My areas of study/expertise have always been these 3 things: 1: The history of the Lemp Brewery, 2: The physical layout of the Lemp Brewery and 3: the physical layout of the Lemp/Cherokee Cave. The history of Cherokee Cave itself, on the other hand, has never rated highly on my task list because it was not originally part of the brewery. They are physically connected now, and that's why I became thoroughly familiar with the physical aspects of the entire cave as it exists today. But the specific/unique/distinct history of Cherokee Cave is not one I have dedicated myself to. Besides, I've already linked to the only source you'd ever need for its history. Any attempts by myself to go into more detail would just result in my paraphrasing that book and I'm not going to sit here and do that. In addition to the complete history, the MSS book also has incredible historic photos of the cave and updated maps which more than justify the low cost of the book. Instead, I have located a few of the less common historic photos which I found interesting and included them here. If you want to learn about the history of Cherokee Cave, you will not regret buying that book.
This remarkable photo captured the Cherokee Cave building during its final year of operation in 1960. Everything in the foreground of this photo would be completely gone within a few years when I-55 was constructed through the area in 1964. [This photo courtesy Missouri Historical Society]
This is the freshly completed Cherokee Cave Building which opened for business in April 1950. [This photo courtesy
Missouri Historical Society]
Cherokee Cave Building just prior to demolition sometime around 1964. [This photo courtesy
Missouri Historical Society]
This is the Cherokee Cave "building" prior to opening for business, probably sometime around 1948/49. The large white building shown above was actually several connected rowhouses which had been remodeled as one single building. Lee Hess decided to renovate/repurpose the existing houses on the site rather than level them and build from scratch-a decision he was said to later regret as the cost of renovating ended up being the more expensive option. For context, note the ISCO stack and Lemp's Bottling Department just to the left. [This photo courtesy
Missouri Historical Society]
Cherokee Cave Building Lobby Circa 1950
Cherokee Cave Building Lobby Circa 1950
Historic Cherokee Cave Flier
Cherokee Cave
"This photo shows the entry point into Cherokee Cave from the museum and main Cherokee building. The area shown in this photo was collapsed and destroyed during the construction of I-55. Photo by David Webster 1962". Source: "Missouri The Cave State" by Weaver Johnson
This blog is dedicated to the pursuit of adventure and features urban exploration in Saint Louis, Missouri and beyond.
1. With the exception of historical photos, all of the photographs here are copyrighted and not to be used for any purpose without my consent. The historical imagery is courtesy of the Historical Society or as otherwise noted.
2. "Don't try this at home." I absolutely will not be held responsible for anyone else's stupidity. I do not recommend anyone try visiting any of these locations. Sometimes I am granted access to the things you see here and attempting to follow in my footsteps may get you arrested, hurt or killed.
3. I do not condone or tolerate: vandalism, theft, littering or any other disrespectful activity in any of these locations. I have the utmost respect for the history of these locations and for the history of my city, Saint Louis. "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."
4. Do not ask me for (or post) specific location information. If identifying information is not provided in the post, there's usually a good reason for that. Any information will be provided either at the time of posting, or updated years later, at my discretion.
5. Any reference to "I/me, we/us" anywhere on this blog is probably just a metaphor. Metaphors are oten employed to simplify complex technical details when storytelling. As such, they can never be considered as admission, nor proof, of guilt; They do not provide sufficient evidence as to who (or what) actually took any of the photos shown here. I/we may or may not actually exist.
