You can download the Wherigo from Here!
The site of Spring Grove was laid out in 1747 on the banks of Codorus Creek, midway between York City and Hanover, by a surveyor for the Penn’s. Its growth since that time falls into two (2) periods, each lasting approximately 100 years. The first witnessed development of the Borough as an iron-making center. The second, which extends to the present day, is as a papermaking center. The businesses of both periods have relied on certain natural resources of the area.
Originally, Spring Grove was a part of Paradise Township and was contained within the boundaries of Lancaster County. York County was formed in 1749 and Jackson Township, including Spring Grove, in 1853. The residents of the community petitioned the County Court in 1882 for incorporation as a borough, and in August of that year their petition was granted. Since that time, the Borough has grown in area as a result of annexation of the surrounding land, the largest annexation having taken place in 1953.
In the 1770′s, attracted by the presence of water, iron ore and wood for charcoal in the Pigeon Hills, an iron manufacturer established a forge at “Spring Forge.” It is known as Spring Grove. The early German and English woodchoppers who flocked to this first Pennsylvania iron industry west of the Susquehanna were the forbearers of today’s community. By the mid-19th Century, the manufacturing of iron had grown to a point where almost 200 tons of iron bar were produced locally each year.
By 1851, however, the iron business had been suspended, and its buildings were converted to the manufacturing of paper. Once again local resources, wood and water, were largely responsible for the location of this industry in the Spring Grove area. Thirteen years later, the plant was purchased by P. H. Glatfelter for $14,000.
Other basic industries, such as brick-making and the manufacture of explosives, have from time to time established themselves in the Borough. None, however, have remained as long nor have been as successful as the paper mill. Since 1865, the growth of the borough has reflected growth of the Glatfelter Paper Mill. Spring Grove today is a one-industry tow, where the mill dominates the Borough’s economic and community life
The geocache hidden at the posted coordinates is a regular geocache, however, it is also part of the 2014 (Phase II) Spring Grove GeoTour (SGGT), a project designed to promote the many businesses and other places of interest in the Spring Grove Area. The SGGT utilizes the growing interest in geocaching to assist both residents and visitors to the area in learning more about the unique attractions.
Caches placed in 2013 (Phase I) are delineated by SGGT. Originally 32 caches were placed and 25 were required to redeem the coin. These caches and coins are still available!
Caches placed in 2014 (Phase II) are delineated by SGGT14. Coins for this phase will be a multiyear coin that will require cachers to complete each new phase to complete the multiyear coin.
This cache contains a unique code which you write down in your SGGT Passport to verify that you found it. Passports are free and can be obtained at the Borough of Spring Grove Municipal Office located at 1 Campus Avenue, Spring Grove, PA 17362, Monday thru Friday 8:00 – 4:30 or at the Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, PA 17362, Monday 12:00 – 8:00, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 – 8:00, Thursday 12:00 – 8:00, Friday and Saturday 9:00 – 2:00. Passports are also available on the website for download.
Download the Spring Grove GeoTour passport.
When you have found a minimum of thirteen 2014 SGGT caches, you will be eligible to have your SGGT passport validated and receive the first “piece” of a commemorative SGGT geocoin. Coin redemption will begin at the event in September. You must have your official SGGT passport with you when you find this cache in order to write the code in it. Click on the link below to visit the SGGT website for more details. http://www.springgroveborough.com/geocaching/
When you find the cache and write down the code in your passport, be sure to leave the code where you found it. If you fail to do this, you are ruining the possibilities for future cachers to complete the trail.
This cache has been placed with permission by the owner of the property. As with all Spring Grove GeoTour caches, please do not attempt to locate the cache after dusk and as always be respectful.
Please notify us immediately through geocaching.com if you have any problems!