Bobcat Bucket List #87

Bobcat Bucket List #87: Visit Wonder World

Wonder World is a historic cave and adventure park located just a short drive from downtown San Marcos. Wonder World started with just a cave, but they’ve added new activities and events that happen throughout the year. Visiting Wonder World is a must for every Bobcat.

In 1903 for 10 cents you could get one candle and a guided tour of Texas’ first show cave. About fifteen years later, Bever’s Cave was sold for $50, one gray horse and a saddle to one Mr. Rodgers who renamed it Wonder Cave. Wonder Cave became a national attraction and was sold in 1950 to a local family who have passed it through generations ever since.

Wonder Cave was formed by an earthquake 35 million years ago. 67 million-year-old fossil imprints from animals living at the time can be seen in the roof of the cave. Back when it was privately owned and used, cigarettes were allowed into the cave, which is why there are black ash marks dotting the lower areas of the ceiling.

The cave is composed of two types of limestone, Buda limestone and Georgetown limestone. This is the very limestone that water travels through to reach the Edwards Aquifer. It takes two to three weeks for surface water to travel through Buda limestone to reach the bottom, and three to four weeks to travel through Georgetown limestone. 

The cave was used during the Prohibition for making and storing moonshine. The room where the moonshine was stored can still be seen on the tour. 

Kristin Williams is the third generation of family members who’ve owned and run Wonder World since the 1950’s. With every generation came new enhancements to the park. They added a train, anti-gravity house, observation tower, and an arcade. Now, Kristin’s main goal is to make Wonder World a community event center.

“We’re trying to connect with other businesses downtown,” Kristin said. 

Drawing in around 50,000 tourists per year, Kristin knows Wonder World has ample opportunity to be a cultural hub for Texas State students and San Marcos locals. But most of the crowd they draw are families coming from out of state.

“It’s been a challenge to get to the college”, Kristin said.

Kristin would love each Texas State student to experience the culture of San Marcos, and Wonder World has been a historic part of that for 115 years. Now they’re adding events like Rave in the Cave, Haunted Cave Tours and the Mermaid Market where local artists can sell their work. 

Wonder World has a rich history in San Marcos and continues to develop thanks to local families like Kristin’s. Students can now get discounted tickets and locals can come to free community events. Learn more on their website, https://www.wonderworldpark.com.