This cache is part of a series of caches dedicated to the reminiscence and admiration of Roseville’s early dwellers. It is part of a series of caches called: “CACHE OUT IN ROSEVILLE”
Back in 1864, on the land where the Tower Theater now stands, there was an oak grove and a campground referred to as “GYPSY PLAYGROUND” . In 1890, a Victorian residence was built on the site. In 1930, the residence became an office for the Justice of the Peace, where many early Rosevillers probably took that giant step of matrimony. In 1940, the Tower Theater was erected on the site, and this was the last major building activity in Roseville for about 5 years due to World War II. After the war ended, building restrictions were gradually lifted, and plans for a new “Press Tribune” building at 530 Vernon Street were drawn up. America was more than eager to resume its love affair with the automobile. Both Riverside Avenue and Vernon Street were located along the direct routes of Highways 40 and 99. And they were in particularly good locations to take advantage of a renewed demand for automobiles and automotive products.
For many years the Tower was the “in spot” for many Roseville residents of all ages. With the decline of movies after television appeared on the scene, the Tower, like so many other movie houses, suffered declining attendance and finally closed. In 1989, the theater was donated by Angelo Tsakopoulos to the City of Roseville to promote the arts. In 1995, the exterior and lobby of the Tower Theater went thru an extensive renovation. The interior has been turned into a theater in the round (although it’s actually square). The Tower Theater is part of the “Magic Circle Theater”, taking turns producing great theatrical productions along with the Roseville Theater a few blocks to the north. ( Information from: “The Story of Roseville, California .. Milestones & Memories 1850-2000”, by Leonard M. Davis)
Unfortunately, the wonderful tree that hid the original “Gypsy Playground” cache was diseased and had to be removed. Thank you, dcanfiel, for giving me a heads up and being there to rescue the cache container (an amazing and funny story in and of itself!). Thus the old “Gypsy Playground” (GCTT9Y) will be archived, but still available for viewing. Taking its place is: “CURSE OF THE GYPSY PLAYGROUND”
DIRECTIONS: Cache is not at the above coordinates – these are parking coordinates only. After you park, cross the street to the TOWER THEATER. Admire the art deco style. Check out all the colors on the building. Examine the colorful, inlaid patterns on the ground around the ticket booth. Take a look at the old safe inside the ticket booth. There is a historical plaque on the left front of the building (on the other side of the Barber Shop) YOU WILL NEED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO GET THE FINAL COORDINATES FOR THE CACHE, WHICH IS LOCATED AT:
4 4. A B C 1 7. D E F
A ~~ Count the individual doors into the Tower Theater. This number is ______. Also make a mental note of the color of these doors. You get to make up your own name for this most unusual color and post it in your log. Those not posting their own “color name”will incur the “Curse of the Gypsy Playground” (see below)
B ~~ Count the number of fan palm trees in the immediate vicinity of the theater front ______ (MINUS) the number of spires on top of the Tower Theater ______ That number is _______.
C ~~ Count the number of recessed lights under the theater front eves. Just use the first digit only of that two digit number. That one-digit number is _______.
D ~~ How many round black/orange buttons are missing from the Automaticket _______?
E ~~ Count the long green / red cement strips (plus one triangular-like shape) radiating from the street toward the theater front and ticket booth. (Ignore the triangle in center front near the street and the short strips on the sides of the building, also near the street.) That number is _______.
F ~~ Multiple choice – pick the correct color scheme to get the correct number for F - _______. Name the color combinations used on the exterior of the Tower Theater (1) red/white/blue (2) black/silver/white (3) green/pale yellow/blue (4) light purple/orange/green (5) royal blue/burgundy/white
Checksum: 28 Cache is located back near the parking coordinates. You will need to bring a pen. Please use stealth. Good Luck! And don’t forget to include in your log: your creative name for the “color” of the Tower Theater Doors.
OTHERWISE, you will incur . . .
“THE CURSE OF THE GYPSY PLAYGROUND”, which is . . . . . . . . . . . .
“May you wander over the face of the earth forever . . . . never sleep twice in the same bed . . . . . never drink water twice from the same well . . . . . . and never cross the same river twice in a year!”