Ganter, H. C., Lantern Slides of Mammoth Cave and Vicinity, 1889 and ca. 1890s
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: H. C. Ganter
Title: Lantern Slides of Mammoth Cave and Vicinity, Photograph Collection, 1889 and ca. 1890s.
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.
Size of Collection: 25 black and white glass lantern slides
Location Number: 012PC27B
Scope and Content Note
There are twenty-five (25) black and white glass lantern slides, ca. 1889-1890s. Twenty (20) out of the twenty-five (25) are labeled with a title, slide number and state “Copyright and for sale by H. C. Ganter, Mam. Cave.” Slides appear to be from a larger set of slides, this collection only representing a handful. Each slide measures 3 ½” x 4”. The slides were removed from a wooden container, were placed in an acid-free box, and each slide is in an acid-free photographic sleeve.
Biographical Note
H. C. or Henry C. Ganter, 1844-1917, was the manager of Mammoth Cave and Hotel in Bowling Green, Kentucky (hotel circa 1887-1902, cave circa 1878-1902). During some of his time as cave manager, he also was the cave’s agent. While at the cave Ganter worked with and claimed copyright of many early Mammoth Cave images created by Ben Hains, a professional photographer from New Albany, Indiana. Most of the images within this collection are believed to be taken by Hains in 1889, later copyrighted and reproduced as stereo cards, postcards, and Lantern Slides by Ganter probably for selling. In May 1902, the Kentucky Courts removed Ganter as cave manager and W. Scott Miller, Jr., of Louisville became his successor. While the news of Ganter’s dismissal made the New York Times, little is known about why he was dismissed.
Sources cited:
Howes, Chris. “Ben Hains: Stereo Views” The Journal of Spelean History Vol. 37 No. 2 Issue 124 (2013): 43-46.
“Mammoth Cave Decision.” The New York Times 5 May 1902. New York Times Online. 20 November 2013.
Photograph List
| ID | Title | Description | Date |
| 012PC27B.1 | Passage back of Giant’s Coffin | Passage way | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.2 | Bottomless Pit | A large hole carved out by a whirlpool. The bridge of sighs crossing it was made of wood and has since been replaced by a metal one for safety measures. | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.3 | Fat Man’s Misery | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.4 | The Pineapple Bush | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.5 | The Post Oak Pillar | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.6 | The Pillars of Hercules | A column given its title for its mass. | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.7 | The Arm Chair | The image shows the formation known as Jenny Lind’s Armchair. It was named for the famous Swedish singer who visited Mammoth Cave and supposedly rested on it. | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.7a | [The Arm Chair] | The image shows the formation known as Jenny Lind’s Armchair. It was named for the famous Swedish singer who visited Mammoth Cave and supposedly rested on it. | undated |
| 012PC27B.8 | The Elephant’s Head | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.9 | The Lover’s Leap | A rock formation that got its name for resembling a cliff from which people that were in love might throw themselves off, if those feelings were not returned. There are no recorded incidences of anyone jumping from Lovers’ Leap. | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.10 | Exit of Corkscrew into Main Cave | Tour group descending from the Corkscrew entrance along Broadway Avenue. The Corkscrew is a winding path with natural spots to step augmented by
steps built by the park. It allows for easy access between the lower levels of the cave and the main chambers near the Historic Entrance. |
1889 |
| 012PC27B.11 | Martha’s Vineyard | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.12 | Lower Passage opening into Cleveland’s Cabinet | Two men standing in opening | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.13 | The Rocky Mountain | Two men standing on rocks in cave | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.14 | Stalactites in Croghan’s Hall | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.15 | End of Cave | Rock formation | 1889 |
| 012PC27B.16 | Star Chamber | The ceiling of this room is studded with gypsum crystals which, when viewed with only a little light provided by the tour guide, lights up like the night sky. |
1889 OR 1892 |
| 012PC27B.17 | Head of Echo River | Group shot at head of Echo River | 1892 |
| 012PC27B.18 | The Climbing Bear | Rock formation | undated |
| 012PC27B.19 | Gorin’s Dome | Cave pit | 1889, ’90, ’93, or ’96 |
| 012PC27B.20 | “Ceasar” “Pompey” and Bridal Altar | The Bridal Altar– In the 19th century, jokes and rumors started about people getting married in the cave which inspired actual weddings to take place there into the early 20th century. | Undated
|
| 012PC27B.21 | Looking up Green River | Image of Green River | 1889 or ’92 |
| 012PC27B.22 | The Chimes | The Chimes is a series of stalactites and columns resembling wind chimes |
copyright 1908 |
| 012PC27B.23 | Unidentified formation | Unidentified rock formation | undated |
| 012PC27B.24 | Unidentified formation | Unidentified rock formation | undated |
