Growing up knowing of Wonderland Cave and dedicating the last four years studying its rich past, it was hard to pinpoint a specific time in the cave's fascinating history to focus on writing about. So many exciting events took place there - where to start? Naturally, I chose the beginning.

 

On March 1st 1930 Wonderland Cave (formerly known as North Cave) opened for business as an underground nightclub in Bella Vista, Arkansas, offering guests an escape to an enchanting world hidden 500 feet below where roaring jazz and big band music serenaded party goers through the night. The cave was owned by C.A. Linebarger and his brothers, F.W. and C.C., real estate moguls and business men who purchased land in Bella Vista in 1917, establishing it as a world-class resort where the wealthy flocked during the summer months to experience it's many world-class amenities, like the luxurious Sunset Hotel, summer cottages, golf courses, lakes, and of course, what would become the world's largest underground nightclub and a nationwide sensation, Wonderland Cave. 

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During a fateful trip to Paris in October 1929, the ambitious C.A. was inspired to open the nightclub while visiting a small pub designed to look like a cave, Le Petite Caveau. Captivated by the setting and its obvious success, C.A. immediately started plans to open his own. "I have a big cave back home, I can make something like this work." C.A. told his beautiful wife, Ray. "You've had too much to drink," Ray replied. 

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Like always, C.A. and his right-hand man, Whitey T. May (operating manager of the Bella Vista Resort, Wonderland Cave, etc.) turned C.A.'s idea not only into reality, but into a major success. 

 

After a few months of hard work, Wonderland Cave had a successful soft opening, going on to have its official opening at the start of the summer season of 1930, forever changing the cave's future and legacy. 

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In the film audiences will meet real life figures like C.A. Linebarger, Ray Linebarger, F.W. Linebarger, C.C. Linebarger, Whitey T. May, Gladys May, Clarence Love, Agent Field Eugene Kindley, musicians and learn more about Bella Vista in 1917 and 1930.  

 

To learn more about Wonderland Cave, please watch the clip above and visit the Bella Vista Historical Museum, located at 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714. Ask for Dale or Xyta. 

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Special thanks to the Bella Vista Historical Museum and the Linebarger and May families for sharing their time, history, family stories, photos, records and more. With over 400 photos and documents, we change the gallery periodically to share our research, so please check back regularly.