Tao Klein owns 240 acres six miles southwest of Parthenon, Arkansas, reportedly one of the most geologically stable areas on North America. Thirty-five years ago, because he believed Armageddon was near, millionaire John Hay bought the land and developed a structure for future use as a luxury bomb shelter. The expanse is of historical significance with its Indian ruins and associated legends that the Spanish explorer, DeSoto, paid a visit here on his crusade. Today, Tao's cousin raises Morab and Morgan horses on the property, and horseback riders visit often.
Inside the 5,600-square-foot cave-like living space, a waterfall called the Spanish Piano (most likely named during DeSoto's visit) dominates the 1,200-square-foot living room. The free-flowing water is channeled into an aqueduct that leads to the outside. Originating from a nearby mountain and dam, the water is filtered by the cave's porous limestone before it is collected in a bat-inhabited reservoir.
An industrial-sized dehumidifier removes a good part of the moisture in the cave, partially caused by stalactites dripping from the ceiling. There is cave writing on the wall dated 1892 that appears to be Old English, and some smudge marks possibly made by Indian reed torches. Spelunkers and fossil hunters are frequent explorers in the undeveloped section of the cave.
