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In May 1986 I was able to visit the postoffice at Cavetown, Maryland, and obtain a few "hardbacks" with the hand cancellations. A standard 4-bar device is the only canceller or date stamp used or available at this very small postoffice. Although there is a new shopping centre just west of town, and some new houses, this town has lagged for half a century, since the closure of a large limestone quarry which was the main source of its income. Unfortunately the main quarry ate most of the celebrated cave for which the town was named: Bushey's Cavern. The best-known reference on the cave is Peabody, Charles. 1908: The exploration of Bushey Cavern, near Cavetown, Md. Bulletin IV, Phillips Academy (Andover, Mass.) Dept. of Archaeology, part I, pp. 1-25.

It describes only the entrance area. Given to me at the postoffice was a short history of the town and the cave from an unknown publication from somewhere in western Maryland.

Following some notes from this paper (editor), writing to this postoffice does maybe not only bring you this leaflet - but also the cancellation of Cavetown.

"Cavetown was named for the oldest known cave in Maryland. Originally known as Bishop's Cave, this cavern was exploited as a natural wonder as early as 1823, when James Camper, then owner, illuminated the cave and charged admission of 12 1/2 cents per person during the Fourth of July holiday. He had on hand a good supply of "porter, ale and beer for the accommodation of visitors", according to a newspaper advertisement….. ".

"Mention of the cavern is contained in early Moravian Journals dated 1748 where Joseph Spangenberg wrote.. on July 12th they passed over South Mountain and came on the same day to the Canigotschik, where they inspected a remarkable cave, which passes through the earth for 300 yards. In its opening 1000 people can stand, then it separates into two branches…". "….by 1920 our remarkable cave was just gone…."