Heritage Backro

It has supplied food. It has provided a source of material for stone tools and for gunpowder. It provided shelter from nuclear attack. It’s also been a restaurant and nightclub. And it may have even been – or may still be – a hiding spot for stolen gold.

Where in Texas can you find such an intriguing spot with such a long, fascinating, and diverse history? That would be Longhorn Cavern, located in Longhorn Cavern State Park just outside of Burnet, Texas.

Located an easy 90 minutes from Austin, this special place has been important to humans for thousands of years. It is thought that in ancient times, animals were trapped for use as food, and the stone was utilized to make weapons and tools. Slightly more recently, the bat guano (poop), which contains potassium nitrate, was used to make gunpowder during the Civil War.

Then, like many areas of the country during the 1930s, the cavern was part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) projects. Young men were put to work digging out the cavern and building the park structures. 

Now, can you imagine who came up with the idea to turn the cavern into a nightclub, complete with music and dancing? What must that have been like, the music echoing off the walls and spilling out through the various chambers and rooms?

Then, finally, in the 1960s, it was one of many places that was set up as a fallout shelter in case it was needed during the Cold War.

But the one thing that David was most intrigued by was the tale that maybe – just maybe – the cavern was the location of some of the gold stolen by the legendary Sam Bass. In the 1870s, Bass and buddies robbed a Union Pacific train in Nebraska, grabbing $60,000 in gold – which has never been found. After snatching the gold, the gang moved southward into Texas, where Bass was killed in a shootout in Round Rock, Texas (around 45 miles from Burnet). 

David asked the tour guide about the story, but he was told they don’t talk about it. We found that odd, since there is a plaque on the grounds that says that Bass was said to have “sometimes lived in the cavern”. 

So, what do you think? Did Bass live there? Would he have left some gold there? Would the CCC boys have found it when they were digging out the cavern? Has it been found but never revealed? Will we ever know?

Entrance to the park is free. There are easy trails to walk, and historic buildings to explore. You can climb a spiral staircase in the Observation Tower to see out over the expanse of the area. 

There is a charge to tour the cave, with costs varying by the season. Prices start at $17 for ages 4-11 and $24 for 12 and over. 

There is also a small food counter to purchase a light meal, and you can sit inside or go outside and enjoy your food on a picnic table. A very nice gift shop provides all your memorabilia needs. Texas State Parks passholders get a 10% discount on food as well as gift shop items.

Longhorn Cavern State Park is located at:
211 Park Road 4 S
Burnet TX 78611-5473