This cache was hidden as part of the Abandoned Railroads of Newaygo County Geocache Rail Tour, presented by the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center and Silent Whistles. Record the milepost value contained on and/or in each cache container on the Ticket to Newaygo County form. See the additional information below for specific tour requirements.
This cache is near the former right of way of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, near the former sawmill and settlement of Vincent. The cache is hidden within the Manistee National Forest.
Map of the Big Rapids & Western Railroad
The settlement known as Vincent, and at times Hardys, was the ending point of the Big Rapids & Western Railroad. In 1889, when the GR&I took over this line, it is unlikely that it ever operated a train to Vincent. This small community was never more than a sawmill and camp.
The railroad built by T.D. Stimson was a standard gauge logging railroad was incorporated April 1st, 1887 the Big Rapids and Western Railroad. It was built form Stimson Junction on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad north of Big Rapids approximately through Stimson (Doyle City?), and Parks on Thirteen Mile road, on to a camp known as Vincents in section 31, two and a half miles west of Parks. Vincents apparently also had service from the C&WM on the Keno branch. Vincents was short lived, as Col. N.H. Vincent was killed in an accident at the mill in January, 1892, resulting in its closure.
Apparently, the GR&I had an interest in the railroad, as some records show ownership by the GR&I by 1890. The GR&I referred to this as the Ludington Branch. At one time, there was a grand plan to extend this line to Ludington, but that never materialized. The line was shortened back to a camp called Merrits (~1/2 mile east of Parks) in 1896 and abandoned altogether in 1899, as the timber harvest drew to a close. This 1900 plat was made after the line was abandoned.
To claim a prize:
- Download and print the Ticket to Newaygo County form (PDF). See alternate below.
- Find 28 of the 35 cache hides in the table below.
- Find at least five of the seven mystery and multi caches in any combination.
- Record the milepost number from the label or log of each cache you find on a printed copy of the form. Milepost numbers are on cache labels and log book covers.
- Each individual GC account holder making the find must sign and date the paper log book in the cache with their GC account name. No group logs please.
- Optionally, upload a photo of your log entry. Be careful to not include the milepost value in the photo.
- Send the completed form via US Mail to the address on the form. Each GC account holder must send in a form.
Once your answers have been verified, the prize will be sent back to you via US Mail to the address you provide on the form.
The first 95 cachers to complete the tour will be awarded a Silent Whistles pathtag commemorating the Big Rapids Branch of the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad.
One prize per completed form. One prize per GC Account.
Download the Ticket to Ride form:
Click Ticket to Newaygo County (PDF) to download a printable version the form (PDF).
Click Ticket to Newaygo County (PNG) to download an alternate, less clear graphic version of the form.
If you don't have access to a printer, printed copies can be obtained at the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center, or by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to the address on the bottom of the form.
Sources:
- Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad
- Lumbering in Newaygo County, Harry L. Spooner, © 1946, Cooper Press, reprinted 1976 by the Newaygo County Historical Archive
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Visit the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center at: 12 Quarterline Road, Newaygo, Michigan (at the downtown light).
Visit the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center on Thursday, September 11th, 2014 at 7:00PM for the Heritage Speaker Series topic: Logging and Railroads in Newaygo County by Dr. Carl Bajema. Reservations are required