GC4Y96C CL100Years: Fire! Fire! (Traditional Cache) in Illinois, United States created by ugomaddie

This cache has been archived.

ugomaddie: While on a walk this morning, I decided to check on this geocache. Discovered after a thorough look in the wooded area that the post/firehose/container were gone. Saw the landowner working nearby on his property and struck up a conversation about it. He had removed it. He pointed me to the barn where the post was, but he said he threw away the firehose because he thought it looked silly…a birdhouse would look better on the post than that silly looking firehose. We discussed the significance of the firehose and he said he guessed it would be ok to put the post back up (although I would have to find another firehose). He said something like ‘I’m not making any money off this’. That’s true, I agreed with him, picked up my post and headed home.

This was the 2nd time he had removed the post & all the parts. Back in 2019, he took it down because he thought ‘it was all over & no one came anymore’. Fortunately, that time he left everything intact and had tossed the whole thing out back of his house.

This landowner has an intellectual disability and has generously allowed the geocache on his property for 8 years. I believe it’s best to archive “CL100Years: Fire! Fire!” (GC4Y96C) at this time. Although this will be the 2nd geocache in the 12-part CL100Years series to be archived, there are ten (10) geocaches in the series that remain in play.

Thanks to all who visited! - ugomaddie

GC4Y96C ▼

A cache by ugomaddie Message this owner

Hidden : 2/8/2014

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

------------------------------*All Limited Edition Geocoins Have Been Awarded*------------------------------

This cache is placed as part of the Crystal Lake 100-Years Geocoin Challenge created to celebrate Crystal Lake's centennial anniversary of incorporation (1914-2014). The Challenge will take you throughout the city where you will discover twelve (12) hidden caches and explore some Crystal Lake history along the way. Be one of the first 250 geocachers* to complete the Challenge and receive a limited edition trackable CL100Years Geocoin.

The Crystal Lake 100-Years Geocoin Challenge Passport contains instructions, a list of the geocaches, and designated areas for recording the code words you discover in each cache. You can print your Passport HERE or pick one up in the specially marked box located just outside the front entrance to Crystal Lake City Hall at 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

Here are the 12 caches: GC4XNGQ, GC4Y2WH, GC4XM0N, GC4Y96C, GC4XKNN, GC4XK2V, GC4ZFZM, GC4XTYZ, GC4XPNZ, GC4ZAKQ, GC4XPM5, GC4XQQY

*limit one per registered geocaching account/household please
------------------------------code words are located on inside cover of logbooks------------------------------

* Special thanks to Chris Williams, Crystal Lake Fire Department *

In May 1914, the Village Board of the newly united villages of Crystal Lake and North Crystal Lake (formerly Nunda) appointed Paul Bertram as Fire Marshal to organize a fire department. The following month, the volunteer fire department was staffed with 12 men and equipment was purchased.

In July 1914, the first fire truck was purchased at the bargain price of $3,300. It was priced at $4,500 and was built for a town in Wisconsin, which paid a deposit of $1,200. Before it was delivered, the truck was forfeited because of lack of payments. Crystal Lake was able to buy the truck for the $3,300 difference. The Harder was a two-ton truck, equipped with a 72 horse power engine, an 80 gallon chemical fire extinguisher tank, and 150 feet of chemical hose. It was built to carry 12 men and was equipped with ladders, axes, lanterns, wall scaling poles, two nozzles, electric search light, gong, electric siren, and 2-three gallon fire extinguishers.

Photos courtesy of the CLFD ("Original 12" & "Station 1, 1956") and McHenry Co Historical Museum ("CLFD hose cart")

Some interesting tidbits:

> Prior to the fire truck, a hand-drawn hose cart was used to transport hose to a fire. It was reported that in the early 1900's "a new hose cart [see photo] was purchased and allegedly got off to a somewhat embarrassing start. Soon after the rig was assembled, a fire call came in, and the men swung open the doors and prepared to pull the cart into action. But the opening was too narrow, and in spite of some heroic language, the cart never made it to that fire."

> 9-1-1 was initially expressed as "nine-eleven" until folks started calling in asking where they could purchase a phone with an "eleven" on it.

> The street address of Fire Station 1 on Beardsley was 119...or 911 backwards.

Important Information:

The cache is hidden with permission on private property in wooded area adjacent to street where you can park. No need to wander any more than about 15 feet into the property from the roadway. At the final, squeeze sides to help gain access.

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This cache has been archived.

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CL100Years: Fire! Fire! Traditional Cache

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