These caverns were used by the Susquehannock Indians until they vanished in the 1670's.
It is
believed that they used the caverns as a refuge during inclement weather because of
the constant temperature. They may have used the Ballroom for initiation ceremonies
and felt that good spirits inhabited crystal lake. (pictured above) The Susquehannock believed the
Rainbow Room was the abode of evil spirits and rarely entered that area.
A century later, the caverns were used as a refuge by
William Wilson, the hermit who lived on a ledge for 19 years after the tragic death by
hanging of his only sister in 1785.
So who is the glaring Indian that is seen holding the severed head of a bearded white man in the
Rainbow Room? Legends don't tell us whether this is the source of the evil spirits or was caused
by the evil spirits believed to reside there.
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