What's behind the doors of this Missouri cave? A former roller rink, concert stage and more

FESTUS, Mo. (KTVI) – Adventure awaits at every turn of one captivating cave in suburban St. Louis, now modernized into a quirky and nostalgic getaway with a storied legacy.

Caveland USA in Festus, Missouri, is a one-of-a-kind landmark where history meets hospitality for an unforgettable retreat.

Located just minutes from I-55, the natural cave of Caveland has served as a silicon mine, roller rink, and concert venue since its inception in the 1800s. Its next chapter? Being reborn as a one-of-a-kind short-term rental destination.

For Jason LiCavoli, a St. Louis-area real-estate rehab specialist who acquired the property last year, Caveland is more than just a housing project. It’s an opportunity to honor the cave’s past while shaping its future.

“To be able to open it back up to the public, and hear these great stories of people who grew up coming here, I’ve seen the tears coming out of their eyes. I’ve heard their stories. For me, money can’t buy that,” LiCavoli told Nexstar’s KTVI.

The History

The earliest origins of the cave, known today as Caveland, date back to the early 1800s, when the Missouri Silica Sand Co. blasted through natural limestone formations to mine high-quality silica. The material, sold to PPG Industries, contributed to glassmaking efforts in the City of St. Louis.

Fast-forward to the mid-20th century, silicon mining and other industrial practices stopped at the cave, and the site took on new life as the Caveland Roller Rink under the ownership of Sue and Roland Morris. Families gathered to skate across a smooth concrete floor surrounded by rugged cave walls.

During its prime as a roller rink, Caveland also hosted concerts with legendary musicians such as Charlie Daniels, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, and Tina Turner.

By the late 20th century, the roller rink closed down, and the cave became a recycling facility for several years.

Then, in 2004, William Sleeper and his family purchased the cave and transformed it into a private residence, calling it home for nearly two decades.

LiCavoli explained negotiations to acquire the property from the Sleeper family began around seven years ago. At last, he took ownership in September 2023, and he says it was well worth the wait.

“If these walls could talk, I could only imagine the stories they’d tell,” said LiCavoli.

The Atmosphere

Caveland consists of three distinct indoor chambers, each with its own unique character.

To go inside, guests first pass through an entrance chamber framed by windows and glass doors, where they will find cozy lounging areas, a bar, tables, and plenty of seating.

The first chamber also features a flight of stairs that leads to Caveland’s housing-like spaces: three bedrooms and two bathrooms connected by one hallway. The rooms are thoughtfully designed with modern appliances, and the hallway leads to an outdoor balcony that offers views of the surrounding wilderness and nearby neighborhoods.

“When you come here, [you get] a standard bedroom with a queen bed that’s very comfortable,” said LiCavoli. “Then you turn off the lights and watch TV, just like you would at a hotel. And [you get] a bathroom that’s normal and nice.”

“You don’t think about that in a cave,” he continued. “You think it’s going to be rustic and very rough. To have hard, clean modern lines inside of a rough texture cave, I love that contrast.”

The middle chamber represents a grand hall designed for entertainment and recreation. It includes a conversation pit, open spaces for indoor sports, and a small stage for private performances.

Between the middle chamber and entrance is a serene pond fed by a natural spring with the soothing sound of a waterfall.

The final and backmost chamber was once home to the Caveland Roller Rink. Right now, it serves, in part, as a versatile storage area.

“I feel like the photos don’t really do it justice,” said LiCavoli. “It’s an experience to be in the space. The way it feels, the way it smells, the way it echoes. All the things [you can see on] your phone or laptop, no matter how much you look at it, you got to know how it feels.”

Throughout the cave, customizable lighting enhances the ambiance, while natural insulation keeps temperatures controlled at around 68 degrees year-round without excessive heating or AC services required.

Getting to Caveland, located at 215 Cave Drive, requires going through several neighborhoods of Festus and Herculaneum off of Interstate 55. LiCavoli said support among nearby neighbors is strong.

The Present and Future

Caveland is currently classified as a residential property in the City of Festus, a designation that allows for short-term rental opportunities through Airbnb and VRBO, but limits other business ventures.

Eventually, LiCavoli hopes to collaborate with Festus and explore the possibility of reopening Caveland as a commercial property. He envisions a venue with a new roller rink, more concerts, and food and liquor licenses.

For now, LiCavoli has been hard at work to restore the local treasure as a standout short-term rental property. He said improving the stairs, floors, and lighting are long-term goals, while he is consistently working to manage the cave’s sand and humidity.

He also wants to add a little more personalization to the property with photos and memorabilia that represents Caveland’s storied past.

LiCavoli described his investments as ongoing and never-ending, but he puts a lot of pride into refurbishing the cave.

“When I bought it, I definitely had to do a lot of renovations and a lot of cleanup,” said LiCavoli. “This is a never-ending project, and I’m going to continue to solve problems and increase value for people.”

Over the past year, LiCavoli has hosted a few birthday parties and wedding events for family members and close friends. Soon, he plans to launch short-term rental listings.

Pricing will start at around $99 per hour to rent the cave for parties and special events, while overnight stays will be priced according to demand and desired dates.

“You might have your birthday party here with some friends or might just have a romantic stay with your gal. Whatever you’re looking to do, I have a cool space that can fulfill all of those needs,” said LiCavoli.

Along with the short-term rentals, LiCavoli says the public can explore the property through two upcoming events.

On Dec. 7, the YMCA will hold a festive holiday house tour. Caveland will be decked out with holiday decorations and offer guests a chance to explore the entire property. Tickets are $20 to participate in the YMCA’s holiday tour.

On Dec. 8, Caveland will host a ‘Caveland Kids’ reunion party that includes snacks, drinks and family-friendly activities. Guests are encouraged to bring memorabilia that celebrates Caveland’s past and share their stories of growing up with the cave.

The public is invited to attend both events and encouraged to RSVP on their online event pages.

Caveland’s listings on Airbnb and VRBO are in the works.

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