GC22CJE The Quest for Lost Civilizations (Unknown Cache) in Wisconsin, United States created by BakRdz

This cache has been archived.

BakRdz: Unfortunately, one of the caches in this series needed to be archived. As much as I'd like to keep this cache going, now is the time to end the quest and let these civilizations become lost once again.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the spirit of the series. I hope you enjoyed the history and the travels.

NOTE: If you found ALL SEVEN of the Lost Civilizations but were not able to get to the final before it was archived, you are welcome to contact me with the final coordinates and I will let you claim the find.

GC22CJE ▼

A cache by BakRdz Message this owner

Hidden : 1/12/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. This cache is designed to satisfy the tastes of any type of “archaeologist.” To log this cache you can be… 1. the adventurous type and visit each cache in the series for the coordinates OR… 2. the scholarly type and decode the code for the answer. NOTE: Those who accomplish both feats will be rewarded with access to the Bonus Treasure of the Lost Civilizations!

Since I was a young explorer, I have been fascinated with the evolution of American settlements. How was the location named or site chosen? Why did some settlements grow while other become “lost civilizations” – to boom and fade or never take root at all? Your quest will take you to a few of the “lost civilizations” within Winnebago County. Many of these communities were named because it was required on the application for a post office. Others were established with no post office at all. Each cache is placed in or near the vicinity of a settlement that once was officially recognized in some way, but no longer is acknowledged by name. Some of these civilizations may still bear archeological evidence of their existence, while others will have no remaining reference other than the occasional honorary road name.

Boom/Zoar (GC22PT1)
Clemansville (GC22PT4)
Delhi (GC22PT8)
Koro (GC22PTC)
Mikesville (GC22PTB)
Perrysburg (GC22PTF)
Snells (GC22PTH)

Each of these caches has an “artifact” inside with the information needed to translate the symbols in the coordinates and unwrap the precise location of the final to claim your piece of the treasure. But the adventure doesn’t have to end there! If you have translated the full inscription AND completed the quest, you will also have the info needed to unlock the BONUS treasure inside the cache and claim your piece of the “unregistered” wealth within.

The final cache has been placed within the Lost Civilization of Fitzgerald near the home of one of its founders, Daniel Fitzgerald.* You can check your coordinates here beforehand.

The History: Fitzgerald was founded by four brothers, Michael, Morris, James, and Daniel Fitzgerald. Each was the son of Irish immigrants who moved to Oshkosh in the 1850’s. As young men, they made a sizeable profit in the lumber and grocery trades. They decided with their newfound wealth they would purchase land west of the city near the rail line and create an agricultural community that provided food and grain for the region. In 1873, three of the four brothers also built lavish homes on their land where they oversaw the cultivation with their growing families. The dream was that this area would be a become a rich community of “gentlemen farmers” that passed along from generation to generation.
Sadly, the dream would not come to be. Michael, who became disconnected with his brothers, sold his land. Morris lost his home to fire twice and never chose to rebuild. Daniel lost his life in 1888 when riding a buggy over Libby’s Crossing. While it was his intent that his sons and widow would remain on the homestead and continue the farming, the family decided to sell everything and move westward to Washington to stake a claim on newly available timber forests. This left only James, who continued to operate his farm until his death in the early 1900’s, but with no interested heirs, his farmland was divided and sold. Today, the only remnants of Fitzgerald are two remaining homestead and the occasional reference on a map to the area near the rail line. No post office was ever established.

Now that you know the story of the Lost Civilization of Fitzgerald, begin your quest and/or translate the map to determine it’s former location and the precise location of the Treasure of the Lost Civilizations. Godspeed Explorers!

This cache placed by
a member of:

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*NOTE: The final was placed on private property with permission of the owner. The owner has also agreed to allow finders to use the end of the driveway near GZ as temporary safe parking while retrieving the cache as long as they do NOT make a u-turn into the property.

*** CONGRATS to 2boyz for the first discovery of the treasure!
*** Another CONGRATS to labrat_wr for succeeding in his Quest here for find #1600!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Puzzle] Gur bgure pvivyvmngvbaf ner fgvyy vzcbegnag gb gur svaq. [How to unlock the Bonus Treasure] Bar pnpur unf n znexre gung pbagnvaf gjb flzobyf bs gur xrl. Gur chmmyr pbagnvaf gur bgure gjb flzobyf.

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)

This cache has been archived.

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The Quest for Lost Civilizations Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

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