[mcdude]

From "Back Porch Tales" by Karl M. Frost - 1974 - pp. 25-26

Located in East Alton, Devil's Den was a very popular visiting spot years ago. It is located on a high site of land, pretty much in the wilderness. Devil's Den is a large rock. The story goes that probably at least 100 years ago, maybe more, it was struck by lightning. the bolt must have hit the top and gone down through the rock and cut at ground level. For some unknown reason, as the bolt of lightning neared the ground, it cleared out a complete circular room and left an entrance large enough for an average person to walk in.

Although the Devil's Den rock is not in itself more than twenty feet or so tall, being on a high elevation the view from the top, over a wide valley, is beautiful.

Some sixty years ago an iron ladder up one wall on the inside allowed a person to climb easily to the top and sticking one's head out of the hole offered an unobstructed view. There are, or were, at least three or four niches cut into the wall of the room, probably to hold candles. Today, (1974) the ladder is gone and only one or two iron spikes are left to show where the ladder was once located.

There are many stories about the den - some claim it was first used as an indian lookout. Others say it was a smuggler's den where liquor run in from Canada was stored. Once, years ago, there was a fairly good road right to the foot of the den. Parties were taken there by horse and team for outings. Treks were made every summer from many local towns. A fairly good set of directional markings were put up for directions. Today it is just wilderness - the road is impassable for carriages and the signs are mostly gone. It is a long walk now over extremely rough terrain, recommended only for those who have a lot of intestinal fortitude. Devil's Den is an unusual sight created by nature's own handiwork. Most any of the local people in Alton or Alton Bay can give you directions if you want to visit the cave, but be sure to take a flashlight along with you.