Max Kaemper and the Mammoth Cave connection

Decroix, Charles

Max Kaemper, a young engineer from Berlin, Germany visited the US during 1907-08. While in the country, he studied American engineering techniques and familiarized himself with the English language. His travels brought him to Mammoth Cave on Feb 23, 1908. While touring the cave, Kaemper became fascinated by endless opportunities for exploration. Kaemper obtained permission from Albert Covington Janin, owner/trustee of Mammoth Cave to produce a surveyed map of the cave in exchange for food, lodging, and caving. Ed Bishop, 42-yr old grandnephew of slave-guide Stephen Bishop, served as Kaemper's guide and assistant. After eight months of intense labor, Kaemper's map was finally complete. A work of art, the map delineates 35 miles of cave passages, beautifully illustrated in five colors. This map was not published until 1981, by which time the history surrounding its numerous passages had been lost or forgotten. The research project, "Max Kaemper and the Mammoth Cave Connection" will include a database, photos, and files of correspondence and other related materials crucial for documentation and preservation of the history surrounding Max Kaemper and his legendary map. The proposal provides a history of the "Kaemper Map", justification of the research, methodology to be used, and a financial summary of proposed costs involved with the project. The proposal contains two appendices: one contains background information on Sara Lida Flenniken (Lida's Pass) and the second is on Dr. Willis Warwood Ranshaw (Ranshaw Avenue).