Collier's Home Traditional Geocache
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(regular)
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Cache is located in the forested area northeast of the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
The cache is located near the site of a collier's hut that was occupied by charcoal producers during the 1800s. They lived in the woods and tended the smoldering charcoal producing fires that dotted the landscape and provided the fuel for producing iron at nearby Hopewell Furnace. (Go to GC10X09 (visit link) to see a spot where the charcoal was made) The hut was made of logs stood on end and leaning into each other, the bases dug into a ditch. (See the circular ditch about 15 feet to the NE of the cache) The structure was then covered with leaves to seal the cracks and then with mud to hold the leaves in place. The remains of that ditch is all we can see today as the logs and leaves have long ago rejoined the surrounding soil. There are upwards of a hundred of these sites on the Hopewell and French Creek SP properties. Close inspection of some of these remains will reveal a small cluster of rocks that probably were the fireplace which was built into one wall. Others may have had small cast iron wood stoves for heating. Try to imagine being a collier, living and working here for most of the year. The gift shop at Hopewell Furnace has lots more data. I recommend Joseph Walker's book, Hopewell Village, if you want a more complete history of the site. You may also visit the nearby Earthcache to learn more about the life in the village.
Parking is possible in a lot near the junction of Shed Road and Rt 345, or along Hopewell Road near the crossing of Baptism Creek, or at the Visitors Center. Do not park along Rt 345.
This cache is in a National Historical Site. There is no hunting, and no biking allowed. Visit during the normal operating hours of 9-5. Please be respectful of your environment. This cache has been approved by the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Additional Hints
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