FTF HOUNDS MN STYLE - Hal-oween Multi-cache

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I Spy.: After 10 years, this cache isn't getting much action. I'm opening it up for another hide!

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Hidden : 8/3/2011
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

I ran across a Hal-oween FTF on a log again recently and thought it was time to recognize her FTF exploits! It's a good bet that if a cache was published in the southwest metro during the last few years (especially a puzzle), Katy is at or near the top of the log! See if you can beat her to this one!

Excelsior has long been a destination for visitors. In its early years, hotels and steamboats welcomed travelers. Both Minnesotans and folks from outside the state built vacation cottages along the Lake Minnetonka shoreline. Daily visitors came to the area as well enjoying the lake, Big Island Amusement Park and later the Excelsior Amusement Park. Today, the lake, Water Street, festivals and historical buildings are among Excelsior's attractions.

This cache celebrates the history and unique character of Excelsior, Minnesota. Enjoy the tour and the city - this is only a small sampling of what the area has to offer. This multi-cache is relatively short so walking or biking is recommended (especially since it may be difficult to find parking).

The cache can be found at:
N 44° AB.CDE W 93° FG.HIJ



Stage 1
Excelsior Public School is a former school building that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school was built between 1899 and 1901 to serve Excelsior during a time of growth in the community. The building originally housed grades 1 through 7 in four classrooms on the first floor, and grades 8 and above were on the second floor. The school was closed in 1964. Locate the historic Excelsior plaque attached to the building. The number on the plaque = C.

Stage 2
The James Hervy Clark house was built by J.H. Clark in 1858. He was known in Excelsior as a carpenter, merchant and farmer. Although the house has been remodeled by Clark and subsequent owners, it still maintains its historic charm. The historic plaque has been removed so E= 7.

Stage 3
Take a look at this object. Look familiar? If you haven't done it already, visit GC6DD3. This school bell hung in the belfrey of the historic Excelsior Public School in 1899, before being lowered in 1962 because of weakened timbers and placed outside the Excelsior Library in 1966. Before ringing as a school bell, it was used on several paddlewheel steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, as well as Lake Minnetonka in the 1880-1890's. Look on the bell and locate the information about the company that cast the bell. The number of letters in the second family name of the company + 3 = H.

Stage 4
In 1855, Trinity Episcopal Church built a log church on St. Alban's Bay on Lake Minnetonka. In 1861 the parish decided to build a new church, but the St. Alban's saw mill had burned down and most of the young men had gone off to join the Union army in the civil war. Across the bay in Excelsior conditions were brighter, and the construction of a new chapel in Excelsior was begun in 1862 and completed in 1864. It was moved from its original location on Third Street near Water Street in 1907. Find the historic Excelsior plaque located on the building. This number = D.

Stage 5
These coordinates bring you to what is known as the Frank L. Perkins house. At the time the house was built in 1883, it resembled a Swiss chalet complete with gingerbread trim and large porch. From the sidewalk, locate the historic Excelsior plaque located on the building. This number = A.

Stage 6
According to legend, the day following a Rolling Stones concert at the Danceland Ballroom at Excelsior Amusement Park, Mick Jagger was having a prescription filled at Bacon's Drugstore when he encountered Jimmy Hutmaker. Jimmy complained to Jagger that he had ordered a Cherry Coke but received a regular Coca Cola instead, then dismissed his own complaint, saying "You can't always get what you want." Five years later, on their 1969 album Let It Bleed, the Stones released a song titled You Can't Always Get What You Want - and references to a drugstore, a cherry soda, a prescription, and "Mr. Jimmy" (Hutmaker's nickname around town) all appear in the song. The song was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in its 2004 "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." At this location, find a bench in Mr. Jimmy's honor. The last digit of the year on the bench plaque = B.

Stage 7
The Phillips Building was built in 1915 and was Excelsior's first body shop. It was the first brick and concrete garage in the area and had a variety of other unique technology for the day including a hydraulic lift and an electric garage door opener. The second digit on the number noted on the historic Excelsior plaque attached to the building = F.

Stage 8
Although this building, formerly known as Bennett's Livery Barn, has been modified in recent years, its "Old West" charm remains. The 1899 building looks much as it did when it was a stable keeping horses for hire more than 100 years ago. Find the historic Excelsior plaque located on the building. Add 1 to the second digit on the plaque; this new second digit = G.

Stage 9
These coordinates bring you to a plaque commemorating Captain John R. Johnson. Captain Johnson operated several boats and businesses in the area in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Find the date the plaque was dedicated. Add 7 to the second digit of the May date (not year) the plaque was dedicated = J.

Stage 10
Just a few steps away from the Captain Johnson plaque is a memorial recognizing area veterans. Add one to the second digit of the year noted in the Coast Guard engraving; this new second digit = I.


Now go get it and see if Hal-oween is FTF!

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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