Ford's Folly Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
An extremely well hidden dam, constructed deep in the woods in Sudbury, lies not far from the Nobscot conservation area. The dam was intended to supply the Wayside Inn, but never held water.
A description from a website on Sudbury history tells:
In 1923, Henry Ford stepped in to protect the Wayside Inn as a "splendid example of colonial America." He purchased nearly 1500 acres surrounding the Inn, built a traditional New England style chapel, a field stone grist mill (rumored to be the "most photographed historic site") and moved The Redstone School or "Little Red Schoolhouse" (of Mary and her little lamb fame) to its current site. In addition, Ford moved the old Parmenter-Garfield general store from Sudbury center to Marlboro and built "Ford's Folly" (the 60 ft. dam up on Nobscott Mountain, so named for its refusal to hold water despite years of labor). Obsessed with historic authenticity, all construction and renovations had to be accomplished in "the traditional manner" using only man and oxen power.
The Bayside Circuit Trail, which goes right nearby, gives a description how to get there:
Continue west on BCT through old apple orchard and down hill to parking lot (P=10) on Brimstone Lane (Rte 20 is about 1mile to right) F 42°20'58" 71°27'19"
2.0 Cross Brimstone Lane; continue down hill to swampy area. About 50 yds after stream crossing turn left at T jct (trail right, about 400 yds round trip, goes to “Ford’s Folly,” a massive stone dam that never held water)
There is a small valve house in the front of the dam wall. Use caution if climbing around there. Also note the Sudbury driving school failures at the base of the dam on either side. Next year's trash out project.
The cache holds standard trinkets. Henry Ford also was a bit more successful at other endeavors which I had included a few models of in the cache.
There is a shortcut to the dam, but it requires parking on a private road. This may draw complaints and necessitate the cache being removed. Please park at the Nobscot Conservation area parking on Brimstone lane and take the approximate 1 mile round trip from there. Be cautious driving on Brimstone Lane as it is a one lane road.
The trail to the dam is narrow with small patches of poison ivy along it.
This was originally posted as an event cache to celebrate WaldenRun's 1000th find. See separate cache page for details.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)