Dooley Cave
Dooley Cave
Dooley Cave is located in Northeastern Greene County, just west of Newark on County Road 580E in Highland Township. The cave is owned by a man from Elletsville. Many people would go to Dooley Cave for relaxation and spelunking. Its beautiful landscape and surroundings made it an ideal place for enjoying nature.
Dooley Cave has gone through many different titles since it was discovered years ago. It has been called Witch’s Eyebrow, Lent Cave, and Hay’s Cave. It was once called Messinger Cave, named after the man who built the two-bedroom stone house and two-car garage on the property that is home to the cave. Now people almost always refer to it as Dooley Cave.
Dooley Cave is an unusual cave, as it is unlike other caves in Greene County. One major difference is that Dooley has very large chambers. Most caves of the area are typically small and have narrow passages. Dooley is a relatively dry cave while other area caves are wet.
Many stories have come from this beautiful landmark. One story particularly makes Dooley Cave, however, seem not so beautiful. One Saturday night, a man by the name of Roger D. Neeley and four of his friends decided to explore the cave. Located about 1,000 feet from the entrance of the cave was a limestone boulder, which would end up causing a horrible tragedy. This 15-ton boulder unexpectedly dropped on Neeley, and he died instantly. One of Neeley’s friends, John Franklin, went for help but nothing could be done. Greene County Deputy Coroner Frank Foley pronounced Neeley dead at the scene.
Today the property that Dooley Cave lies on is off limits to the public. ‘No Trespassing’ signs line the premises of the property. It is illegal now to go to Dooley Cave and enjoy the environment that surrounds it.
This information was used with permission from the Linton-Stockton School Corporation.
Pictures can be found in our photogallery.
