Harrisville Bath House Traditional Geocache
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Size: 
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This cache will take you to one of the lesser known Harrisville historic buildings.
This cache is located near one of Harrisville’s little known and almost never visited historic buildings. This seemed like a great place to place another Harrisville cache.
As detailed in the town's “NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM”, prepared in June of 1977: “The Sauna: a small 1-1/2 story ochre clapboarded building with red trim built in the 1920s. It is the only building surviving in Harrisville built specifically to serve the needs of an important segment of the town's immigrant population, the Finns.”
That is what they say...but here is the real story.
The "Sauna" wasn't a sauna at all, it was a steam bath! It was owned by a Finnish family by the name of Laine. Back in the early days this was the only bath house for quite a distance. Groups of people would come to the bath from miles around to spend time in the steam. It is said that fights occasionally broke out between competing groups out on the street, after exchanging words in the bath.
Another funny little tidbit I learned was that the bath house was not really a clothes optional joint...mostly clothes prohibited! Not that this was really that big of a deal, because as soon as water was poured on the heat you couldn't see anything anyhow. But then there was the issue of knot holes...yes, knot holes in the dressing room walls. One could only guess what was going on behind the knot hole.
Frankie was the last Laine to manage the bath house, but he and the other Laines were quite a group. The whole bunch of them were bootleggers and Frankie would often say "There is booze in those rock walls and wells, but I was too drunk to remember where." Now I don't know if that is true or not, but one never knows. I have to admit I've spent my share of time searching rock walls and I'm yet to discover a hidden booze stash.
I don't really know how much it cost for a bath, but I do know that whatever it cost, you could spend as much time in the bath as you wanted, unless another customer was waiting. After you paid your fee there was something else, it was an expected gratuity to supply Frankie with some beer. If you didn't bring beer, you might get into the bath but, you wouldn't feel welcomed. It really didn't matter what beer you brought, but if you wanted a bath, you brought the brew.
So, how do I know all of this about the Bath House? Well there is an old man up the street hiding behind a rock wall who might have spent a few hours in the place....well more than a few. There are so many stories about the Bath House and the Laine's that I could go on for hours....hmmmm...bring me a six pack and I'll tell you some more.
After visiting the Bath House, make sure you tour the rest of the town and enjoy all of the unique and interesting historic buildings.
If you make your way to the Granite Mill and visit Historic Harrisville they will gladly give you information on a self guided walking tour of the historic buildings. One of my favorite things to do while visiting is grabbing lunch at the Harrisville General store, It ROCKS!
Please remember that many of these historic buildings are privately owned and occupied including the Bath House.
As always, there is absolutely no reason to damage or destroy anything natural or man-made while searching for this cache. Always respect the environment and never trespass onto private property without expressed permission.
Coordinates were a bit spotty when I placed the cache. I have updated the coordinates. This cache is located within the "Y" formed by Blood Hill Road and Prospect Street.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N GBG arrqrq.