This cache would be in the basement of the A. C. Stikel &
Company store in the town of Hampton in Fayette County,
Pennsylvania if it still existed. Hampton, which was also called
Indian Creek, is a ghost town. Nobody lives or has lived here for
quite some time and there is very little evidence left that would
indicate that there ever was a town here. The town probably got its
name from the Hampton Forge ironworks (1810-1830) which was located
in the valley close to the mouth of Indian Creek. In the days of
the Indian Creek Valley Railroad (1908-1926), it was a prosperous
town with a population of about 200 people. It was the main
shipping point for lumber mills and coal mines operating in the
Indian Creek Valley. There were at least 25 homes, a sawmill, a
school, a post office, a store, a hotel, and a telegraph office in
the town. One can only wonder whatever became of it all.
Directions: Getting to “Hampton” or “Indian Creek” and the cache
is not easy but it promises to be fun. I shall suggest two good
ways to get there: The Hawkins Hollow route and the Lower Indian
Creek Valley Trail route.
The Hawkins Hollow route is about 5 miles round-trip from
Hawkins Hollow Road. You can drive and/or walk a rough gravel and
dirt road that fords Indian Creek about halfway to the cache.
Indian Creek is a formidable stream so be prepared to get wet. It
will be impassible when the water is high. I would recommend a
four-wheel drive for this one but I saw four ordinary passenger
cars including a Geo Metro that made it to the ford on the day that
I placed the cache. Crazy kids. I walked it. To get to the
beginning of the Hawkins Hollow route, go about 7 miles north
(east) from Connellsville or 1.2 miles south (west) from
Normalville on Route 711. Turn south on Hawkins Hollow Road and
follow it through Appalachia for 2.4 miles to an unmarked dirt road
which begins at 39° 58.760', -79° 29.250' and goes steeply
downhill. There is parking for a few cars here at the beginning of
the road if you are going to hike it.
The Lower ICV Trail route is about 8 miles round-trip on the
grade of what used to be the Indian Creek Valley Railroad. This is
a longer route but it is a great way to go if you have a mountain
bike. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on this trail. The grade
is a bit steeper than other rail-trails and the surface is a bit
rough in spots but you don’t have to be an athlete to ride it.
Mountain Bikes can be rented in nearby Ohiopyle or Connellsville.
To get to the trailhead, drive 2 miles south from Normalville on
Route 381 and turn right (west) on Camp Christian Road. Go .6 miles
and turn right into a small parking area at 39° 58.328', -79°
27.548'. Park here and continue by bicycle on the road beyond the
gated bridge. There is a three-way fork in this road about .2 miles
from the gate. Take the center fork for the ICV Trail which will
take you to the cache.
