*** Update – April 2024 ***: Happy "eclipse weekend" to all! Please try to stuff the cache back in its hiding spot, as it keeps migrating further and further out into plain sight. Have a great visit!
INTRO DETAILS:
Welcome to Canada's #1 most visited cache! (though it always remains a tight race with Banff Micro Cache in Alberta - GCMB99). This container is located in a hidden gem of a garden in the heart of the tourism district. This cache acts as a trackable exchange post for visitors to Niagara Falls who do not have the luxury of a car rental and need a well-hidden cache in the ‘middle of things’.
BACKGROUND:
Most Niagara residents know the Oakes Garden Theatre as the site of many concert functions and wedding party photography sessions throughout the year. Few remember the original history of the site – two of the most spectacular fires in the city’s history. The site was originally occupied by the 1st Clifton Hotel, built in 1833 by Harmanus Crysler. It was opened for business in 1835 and enjoyed a booming life of business until it was destroyed by fire on June 26th 1898.
The site remained untouched until 1905 when the mighty Clifton Hotel was rebuilt. This five storey structure was built in a "U" shaped form at the corner of River Road and Clifton Hill facing the American and Canadian Falls. The new hotel enjoyed a prosperous three decades until the day after Christmas, 1932, when the Clifton was once again destroyed by fire that completely gutted the entire building. The fire started in the north wing and could not be controlled until most of the structure lay in ruins.
In 1933, the Niagara Parks Commission converted the site to what it is today: the Oakes Garden Theatre. Unknown to most, much of the concrete walls, pillars and arches forming the theatre are the old foundation walls of the Clifton Hotel, incorporated into the construction design. The Oakes Garden Theatre was officially opened on September 18th, 1937.
Be sure to click on the gallery below for a further pictorial history of the site.
EXTENDED DETAILS:
The location of the cache is a beautiful area that will bring some sanity to the hustle and bustle. However, your timing in finding it will be everything. Because this area is somewhat secluded, it is frequented by local staffs on smoke breaks and city youth who just need somewhere to ‘hang around’. What’s more, these muggles can come from various directions quite suddenly. My suggestion is to hang out on the branches of the unique tree near the cache (everyone climbs on it for photos), enjoy the great view for a bit, and then grab the cache from ground level when you feel you're alone.
Please be aware that the cache has been replaced about 5 times due to poor re-hiding effort, and each time it went missing it had multiple trackables in it that never went back into circulation. On the other hand though, you probably won't be the only one here today -- so trackable items DO trade fast. Your item will definitely not sit for long and it could very well show up on the other side of the world next week.
Unfortunately there is nowhere great for parking. Check the waypoints for two suggestions. There are PAY parking spots directly adjacent to the garden but you will pay a ridiculous $5 per 30 minutes. And that was previous to COVID. The nearest FREE parking is also marked: it is a 5-10 minute walk, depending on your speed.
Have fun!