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WC P-Line 2 Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

stephenandcarol: This cache has been plowed under by the farmer who leases the land from the state. It had a good run. Thanks to all that searched for it.

Team StephenandCarol

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Hidden : 1/27/2006
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Located on public Buena Vista Prairie Chicken Grounds.

November 8, 1945. The weather was cold and rainy, as the last frieght train on the Soo Line's Portage run arrived into Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The crew on the last run was Garrett Marshall - Engineer, Fred Stassel - Fireman, and Jim Nienhaus - Brakeman. The history of the "P-Line" dates from the early 1870's. The Portage, Stevens Point & Superior Railroad was incorporated March 16, 1870, and chartered to build a line from Portage City north to Stevens Point and then on to Superior via Ashland, Wisconsin. Lacking sufficient capital, the company was forced to consolidate with the Portage, Winnebago & Superior Railroad, a deal finalized November 23, 1870 when no rails had been laid in any direction. The name of the Portage Winnebago & Superior Railroad was changed on February 4, 1871, when it was consolidated with Wisconsin Central incorporated on the same day. Work began shortly on building a railroad between Portage and Stevens Point, the end of the track. Communities served were Plover, Bancroft, Plainfield, Hancock, Coloma, Montello, Packwaukee Junction, and Endeavor. Stevens Point's High School Basketball team traveled this very line to Madison to win the 1926 State Basketball title against River Falls with a score of 9 to 7!

This area is also home to the Buena Vista Prairie Chicken grounds. You will see many signs if you drive through the area related to the Prairie Chickens that call this area home. The ditches that run through this Prairie are also full of trout and it is a very good fishing area. Also of interest is that in the summer I have seen up to 3 large Dust Devils at one time while fishing. They are very common in the summer. I like this area alot because it reminds me of my home state of Montana were a person can see for miles.

This is the second bridge on the former WC Portage line. The line has been gone for over 60 years now and the remains of the bridge have fallen into the water. If you look to the north you can see the remains of the right of way as it cuts across the field. To the south, the farmers field has reclaimed the right of way and is no longer visible.

The cache is well hidden.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh jba'g trg nal funqr ng guvf pnpur. Znlor whfg n qvegl ybbx sebz fbzr jbbq qhpxf.

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)