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Then and Now: Boonton, NJ Mystery Cache

Hidden : 8/30/2005
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

I've always loved looking at old postcards and photos. Many times I thought it would be cool to find the places depicted and see what they look like today. Well I found a bunch of old postcards from Boonton and Skigirl and I headed out and did that very thing. We had so much fun doing it, we thought it would be a great idea for a cache (and maybe a future series).

Following, are six photos. You will need to study each photo and figure out the approximate spot it was taken from. Some will be pretty easy and some not so, as things have changed a lot.

While standing at that spot you will find a clue to the final coordinates.

The cache location itself is a fairly high traffic area, so stealth is required. The location might not seem all that interesting, but there is a some history behind it as the sign nearby will explain.

All photos were taken on Main Sreet in Boonton. The posted coordinates will bring you to the first one. You'll have to find the rest on your own. Here are the photos (click on each one for a slightly larger version. it will be easier using these than the ones on the cache page).

First Photo-Clue A

Second Photo-Clue B

Third Photo-Clue C

Fourth Photo-Clue D

Fifth Photo-Clue E

Sixth Photo-Clue F

Clue A How many lamp posts are on the bridge? _______
Clue B What year was the building in the foreground of the photo built? _____
Clue C How many footprints are in the concrete sidewalk? _____

Clue D How many benches are in the "park"? _____
Clue E What year was the monument erected? _____
Clue F What year was the library building built?_______

Add clues A, B & C:______________ (Total 1)

Add clues D, E & F: ______________ (Total 2)

Add "Total 1" to 4052418 and your N coords are: 40._____._______

Add "Total 2" to 7421039 and your W coords are: 74._____._______

The cache location itself is a fairly high traffic area, so stealth is required. The location might not seem all that interesting, but there is a some history behind it as the sign nearby will explain.

Interesting note: In photo 5 you can make out what appears to be a child hiding behind the monument, apparently from a gentleman standing at the corner of the bank building. It was probably just a game of hide n go seek. Whatever was going on, I stood at the exact spot where the man is in the photo and thought about that long ago moment when the photo was taken.

I have current photos of each of the 6 spots above. If you log a DNF and need a clue, I can send you the one that stumped you.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Xrrc jnyxvat abegujrfg.

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)