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NYPL: The Chrysler Building Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

New Market Mallers: Over 8 years ago, I wanted to try and get a library cache in Manhattan. It took quite a bit of running around and reaching out to people, but in April 2015 I was able to get the Grand Central Library Branch on 46th Street to agree to participate in geocaching.

This would wind up being the first in a series of NYPL geocaches that has seen thousands of visitors over the past 7 1/2 years and will hopefully continue for many more.

Sadly, this branch is slated to close permanently this week. As such, I have removed the geocache and I have to archive what was the original NYPL geocache.

Thanks to everyone who visited this location and the others in the series. Hopefully the turn of the new year will bring some new editions to the series and I can keep it going for at least another 7 1/2 years!

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Hidden : 4/23/2015
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The Chrysler Building is one of the most iconic buildings in the USA. In 2007, it was ranked ninth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.


Welcome to the New York Public Library system! This cache has limited hours of availability, which are listed below on the cache page.

***NEW as of December 2018! Geocachers who have found at least 4 NYPL caches are eligible for a Level 1 pathtag! Geocachers who find at least 8 NYPL caches are eligible for a Level 2 pathtag as well! If you think you qualify, please send me a note and I will get your tag(s) out to you.

Did you know that every branch of the New York Public Library offers free Wi-Fi? That's great news for all geocachers visiting from out of town!

Update: March 2016 - I have been notified by the New York City Geocaching Community that NYPL: The Chrysler Building has won three "Best of" Awards for 2015, Best Camo, Best in Manhattan and Best Overall in NYC. Thank you to everyone who has visited to this point as your logs are a big reason why this has happened. A big thank you to everyone who voted as well...it really is appreciated.

Update: May 2017 - I have been notified by the New York City Geocaching Community that the NYPL Series of caches has won the award for Best Series in NYC in 2016!!

The posted coordinates for this cache bring you to the NW corner of 46th Street and Lexington Avenue. From here you have a clear view of the upper portion of the Chrysler Building to the south. The Chrysler Building is a classic example of Art Deco architecture and considered by many contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City. The Chrysler Building was designed by architect William Van Alen for a project of Walter P. Chrysler. When the ground breaking occurred on September 19, 1928, there was an intense competition in New York City to build the world's tallest skyscraper. Despite a frantic pace (the building was built at an average rate of four floors per week), no workers died during the construction of this skyscraper.

Upon completion on May 20, 1930, the added height of the spire allowed the Chrysler Building to surpass 40 Wall Street as the tallest building in the world, a claim it would hold until 1931, when it was surpassed by the Empire State Building. During those 11 months, the Chrysler Building was also the world's tallest STRUCTURE:

What structure did it surpass in 1930 to become the world's largest?

If your answer is the Washington Monument, go to N 38° 53.376 W 077° 02.115

If your answer is the Eiffel Tower, go to N 40° 45.229 W 073° 58.415

If your answer is the Great Pyramid of Giza, go to N 29° 58.755 E 031° 08.054

Once you have the correct coordinates, you need to head there so you can locate the cache. In order to do so, you will need to REFERENCE the information in the HINT listed below.

Please note the times that the cache will be available:

Monday 11am to 6pm

Tuesday 10am to 5pm

Wednesday 11am to 6pm

Thursday 10am to 5pm

Friday 10am to 5pm

Saturday 10am to 5pm

Sunday - cache not available

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

ERS 331.7

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)