Big Sandy Spring, Alabama?

[dlogan17]

Recently a friend got permission from a land owner and we dove a spring about 20 minutes from Tuscaloosa, near Mercedes. We didnt penetrate deep, but the cave was large and definitely kept going from where we went. There is an old metal platform and ladder leading to the entrance. Its in the middle of the woods on a hunting club. Ive been told its called Big Sandy Spring, but havent been able to find anything out about the place or its history. Does anyone know anything about his cave or its history?

[jlillest]

Did you find any line? Survey that thing and draw a map!

If you get survey it and/or draw a map, the Alabama Cave Survey would love to hear about it.

Alabama hunt club land is where I've made some of my best cave finds.

-Jon

[dlogan17]

No line or anything, but the metal platform is purpose built. Im sure someone has dove it before. I just cant find any info at all!

[RHolmesJr]

I'm not too far away in Montgomery. If you guys need help laying line, surveying or even with surface support, I'll be glad to lend a hand. holmesjr.r@gmail.com

[sskasser]

Same here, glad to help.

[rchrds]

And if you need a map....

[FW]

Someone saw this thread, and sent me the following information:

Big Sandy Spring, just East of Tuscaloosa in the Coaling area (so named because locomotives stopped there to re-coal) is a bold spring flowing from limestone and is the head and major source of Big Sandy Creek which flows many miles through sandy land to the Warrior River SW of tuscaloosa. I knew it a half century ago. It was perhaps the area's first "industrial park," the location of pioneer Hardy Clements' 1820-1840 mills for lumber, grist and and whatever else needed power. At that time several mill stones could have been found among other debris in the surrounding duff. It then belonged to Gulf States Paper Corp. (now the Westerville Co.) and probably still does, leased to a hunting club. I suspect your member's discovery of an iron ladder in the spring dates to that early date.