Crystal Cave set to reopen in north Springfield

Courtesy Crystal Cave

A miniature golf course has been added to the attraction.

Crystal Cave, a historic site in far north Springfield, is set to reopen under new ownership.

The attraction, 7126 N. Crystal Cave Lane, announced in a Facebook post that the scheduled reopening date is March 23.

The Dole family purchased the site last year and have conducted a "refurbishment of the property which had fallen into disrepair," according to Crystal Cave's website.

"They cleaned up the overgrown vegetation, refurbished the gift shop, poured concrete walkways and upgraded the lighting in the cave," the website reads. "They also added a miniature golf course, installed a train ride and built gemstone mining, all for the visitors to enjoy."

The roughly 71-acre property was listed in 2020 by Re/Max House of Brokers for $1.3 million, according to past reporting. A filing with the Greene County recorder’s office shows it was taken over by Dole Family Properties LLC early last year.

Crystal Cave most recently was active under the ownership of Loyd and Edith Richardson, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

When Loyd Richardson died in 2014, the cave closed to the public, according to its website. The property was willed to George and Barbara Blowers, Loyd's daughter, who owned it for a decade.

The cave was founded in 1893 by Alfred Mann, who emigrated from the resort town of Brighton, England, SBJ archives indicate.