GCPAYT Native American Village (Traditional Cache) in Michigan, United States created by Wolcott Mill Metropark & Team CoyChev

This cache has been archived.

Wolcott Mill Metropark: According to the metropark guidelines, this cache has run it's course. Thank you everyone who enjoyed the Wolcott Mill cache series and the historic Mill. Please come to the Wolcott Mill geocaching event on Jun 16th at 10:00am for a great day of fun and many new caches.

GCPAYT ▼

A cache by Wolcott Mill Metropark & Team CoyChev Message this owner

Hidden : 6/18/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Visit ruins of a wigwam and other things that could of been a Native American camp.

The Settler's Trail is a 2.2 mile trail that becomes more scenic the farther along it you travel. There are four caches hidden along this trail.

When searching for this cache you'll be jumping back in time as you pass by an old wigwam village that's slowly being destroyed by mother nature. You'll see the tanning rack, the wigwam and other structures built to resemble the structures used by the Native American inhabitants many years ago.

More information about these Native American structures:
The wigwam was a circular, or oval, dome-shaped structure, housing one or two families. The butt-ends of the pole or sapling frame were imbedded in the earth; the tapered ends were bent down and tied in place with bark strips. Over this frame was fastened a covering of bark or mats. Mats were made of cattails or common marsh "flags" as they were called. The birch bark that covered the wigwam was made by sewing the bark together in strips about two feet by six feet. An animal hide was used as a cover for the doorway. Bulrush mats were used for the flooring and deer or bear hides were made into sleeping blankets.

The villages were generally located near a stream or large spring. Good land for gardens and cornfields and a plentiful supply of firewood were important in determining the location of a village. The wigwam was usually positioned in the shade of a tree and near water.

The families were on the move when food was no longer available. Everything was taken off the frame of the wigwam for future use, leaving the framework behind. Usually two or three generations of the family lived together in larger wigwams, totaling about eight to ten people. Ojibway families often lived in isolation in smaller wigwams through the winter and moved in the summer near several other families.

Close location to the water allowed for fishing, hunting, berry picking, and a time for socialization. The Ojibway word for birch bark is 'wigwass' and the name of the tree is white birch. The outer layer of the birch tree grows in sheet like layers, lending to the name 'paper birch.' Canoes were made from bark that was peeled in the spring because it was a heavier weight. Large trees were cut to obtain enough bark for canoes, wigwams, and tipis. Smaller pieces were used for torches, writing scrolls, buckets, boxes and pots.

Wolcott Mill

This cache is located within Wolcott Mill Metropark, a part of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority park system.

NO VEHICLE ENTRY PERMIT REQUIRED at Wolcott Mill Metropark. For general information, contact the Huron-Clinton Metroparks – Phone 1-800-47-PARKS - or visit their website at metroparks.com. All park rules and regulations apply. Park in parking lots only. Check the Metroparks website for park hours.

NO ROADSIDE PARKING