*Please make sure to re-hide the aircraft cable that secures the cache so that it is not easily spotted by non-cachers.*
Many healthcare challenges hit the burgeoning community of the Kennewick area in the early 1900's, including the flu epidemic of 1918, diphtheria, and smallpox, among other illnesses, highlighting the need for a hospital to serve the populace. Doctors often made house calls, and several small hospitals were established in homes and other buildings to try to meet the growing healthcare needs of the surrounding towns. Wartime in the 1940's tripled the population of Kennewick, and healthcare became even more stretched than it already was. A hospital was needed, and the community responded to that call. Citizens formed the 'Kennewick Hospital Association' and began an impressive fund drive to erect what became Kennewick General Hospital. In 1949, this drive took off in full swing with events ranging from building a house that was raffled off, to sponsoring circuses, concerts, and rummage sales. Benton County established a hospital taxing district in 1950 and on November 4th of that year a $350,000 bond issue was passed. This allowed for Kennewick General Hospital to be built, with ground breaking in March 1951, and the new, 46-bed hospital opened its doors for the first time on Augest 1st, 1952. An article in the Tri-City Herald prior to the official opening of the hospital stated, “Kennewick General Hospital is a symbol of what a community – this community or any other community – can do if it gets solidly behind a single project, and, with unity and selflessness, drives on to ultimate victory.”
Tri-Cities 2023 Geocoin Challenge
Tales of the Tri-Cities
- Complete all 4 Adventure Labs and find 4 event geocaches in each city (16 out of 20 traditional geocaches).
- Return completed passport: John Dam Plaza: ~ Sat, June 24, 3-7pm & Sun, June 25, 9am-12pm
- After Sunday, June 25 @ 2 pm, return the completed passport to Richland Parks & Recreation
- Richland Parks & Rec: N46 16.369 W119 16.273 ~ Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 12-4pm
- Cache questions: call 509.578.9332
- Passport must be in one piece, not torn or mutilated.
- Coins available while supplies last.
- Passports available at John Dam Plaza on Saturday, June 24, after 9:30am.
EVENT GEOCOIN CHALLENGE PASSPORT (Link goes live: 6/24 – 11am)
Kid Challenge
- Find 10 out of the 20 event geocaches throughout the Tri-Cities.
- All the geocaches have 3D rubs.
- Complete the Kid’s Passport.
KIDS GEOCOIN CHALLENGE PASSPORT (Link goes live: 6/24 – 11am)