Kingston Saltpeter Cave
Encyclopedia
Kingston Saltpeter Cave is the largest cave in Bartow County, Georgia
, United States of America
, and was formerly used as a source of saltpeter, the critical oxidizing component of gunpowder
, by the Confederate States of America
during the American Civil War
(1861–1865). The cave is now a preserved area composed of 40 acres of largely hardwood forest, underlain by a variety of wildflowers
and mosses
. In late 1983 the property was acquired by the Felburn Foundation in order to preserve, maintain, and protect it for future generations.
Bartow County, Georgia
Bartow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 100,157. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's July 1, 2009 estimate, the county's explosive growth resulted in a population of 96,217, a 26.5% increase in less than ten years...
, United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was formerly used as a source of saltpeter, the critical oxidizing component of gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
, by the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(1861–1865). The cave is now a preserved area composed of 40 acres of largely hardwood forest, underlain by a variety of wildflowers
Wildflower
A wildflower is a flower that grows wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. Yet "wildflower" meadows of a few mixed species are sold in seed packets. The term "wildflower" has been made vague by commercial seedsmen who are interested in selling more flowers or seeds more...
and mosses
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
. In late 1983 the property was acquired by the Felburn Foundation in order to preserve, maintain, and protect it for future generations.