Sequoyah Caverns - Valley Head, Alabama

Monday, March 18, 2019
Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead, closed since 2013, was a popular destination in DeKalb County, Alabama. The cave was named for Sequoyah in 1963. There is no evidence that he visited the caves but they were home to some of the Creek and Cherokee since archaeological evidence was found in the caves beginning in the 1840s. Some of these artifacts were on display in the main building.

They held seasonal events such as Nativity performances called Winter of Glory from December 21st-24th. Other events they held included Fall into the Past, a Civil War re-enactment that took place in November, a Spring Festival, and Summer Blast on the 4th of July, with fireworks and bluegrass music.

Better descriptions of the events that they held:

Fall into the Past
Relive history at our spectacular Civil War
re-enactments that take place for several days every November.

Winter of Glory
Join us for our live nativity scene event December 21st through the 24th every year.

Spring Festival
Come witness the powerful world of tractors, engines & machinery every Spring. Also, enjoy great music & crafts.

Summer Blast 
Let the excitement of fireworks & bluegrass music warm your soul every 4th of July.




History of the Sequoyah Caverns and the Ellis Homestead


James Ellis moved his family to Valley Head, Alabama from Tennessee back in 1841. He and his family built a log cabin and later a frame house where the campground is today. The cabin was 
later moved and used for another home 
on the farm.

In these pioneer days, the Ellis Family had to be tough and worked hard to cut farmland out of a wilderness. This hard work allowed the family to accumulate hundreds of acres of land, including what is today Sequoyah Caverns.

During The War Between the States, the Ellis family was divided, just like the nation itself.  James, a 2nd Lt. in the Union army, died from a camp disease in 1863. He is buried at the Chickamauga Battlefield. Four of his sons also served in the war. Three of his sons fought for the Union and one fought for the Confederacy. Only two of the sons survived the war. Mrs. Ellis had one son, Abner, who was too young to fight. 

Although times were hard after the war, the farm began to prosper again. By the turn of the century, the Ellis family was relatively well off. They were growing corn, cotton, wheat, and oats, making sorghum, and raising sheep and cattle.

Today, the direct descendants of James Ellis still live here welcoming visitors from all over the world who come to explore the Ellis Homestead and see Sequoyah Caverns.

Original Settler: James Ellis, 
Born 1806, moved here in 1841, died 1863

Son: Abner Jackson Ellis, 
Born here 1847-1900

Granddaughter: Harriet Saphronia Ellis, 
Lived here 1870-1935, married John Humble

Great Granddaughter: Abbie Jane Humble, 
Lived here 1904-1977, married Roy Lee Jones

G. Great Grandson: John David Jones, 
1933- Present, Owner of the farm, working with 
his son, Roy

G.G. Great Grandson: Roy Lee Jones II, 
1964- Present Running day-to-day operations

G.G.G. Great Granddaughter: Rebecca Jones, 
1989- Works today as a tour guide

G.G.G. Great Grandson: John Paul Jones, 
1991- Works today on the farm

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