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Ramsey Ruins: The Ice House Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

OReviewer: As there's been no cache to find for a long time or has had no owner response for at least 30 days, I'm archiving it to keep it from showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements.

Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.

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Hidden : 6/26/2011
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A small camo'd water bottle large enough for a log, pen, and a few small trackables and tradables. Please close container with care and re-hide carefully. NOTE: Construction has blocked off Lake Street access, but cache may be approached from nearby Lakeview Terrace or by parking either east or west of the detour and walking to the cache. The street is expected to be blocked off till Fall of 2014.

Few local residents are aware of the ruins hidden in plain sight on a major thoroughfare in Ramsey, NJ! This cache is hidden near Garrison’s Pond, popularly called The Duck Pond, and the ruins are the foundation of John Garrison’s ice house, built in the late 19th century. During the winter, ice was harvested from the pond and stored between layers of sawdust in the ice house. The ice was delivered to townspeople by horse and wagon and later by truck. He also delivered produce, chicken and pork in those days before supermarkets. In 1923, the ice house burned down, but the foundation is now the home of trees, flowers, a Welcome to Ramsey sign and other signposts. In 1952, the northwest side of the pond became the site of the home of Romeo Napolitano. In recent years, the property was divided into several lots. (Source: Ramsey by Ron Case, 2001)

Stop by, enjoy the pond, and imagine the ice house as it once stood providing Ramsey residents with the means to keep their food fresh before the invention of the refrigerator. There is a parking lot and picnic table. Ducks, of course, are regular inhabitants, but it is not unusual to spot swans, great egrets or great blue herons feeding in the area as well.

Cache is not too far from the water, so please be careful if caching with little ones.

Congrats to GabaKufu for FTF!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Hccre yriry. Nyy FCEHPRQ hc!

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)