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Paso Robles History Mystery Tour (PRHMT No. 1) Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

Marko Ramius: Since there does not appear to have been any further response to the issues posted to this cache, I am archiving the listing to remove it from search pages and to allow for new caches in this area. If you would like to correct the issues for this cache, you can either create a new cache page or send me an e-mail with the GCxxxx code for this cache listing and I will un-archive it and review it again.

Thank you for your understanding and for your contributions to Geocaching.

Marko Ramius
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
markoramius.ro@gmail.com

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Hidden : 12/19/2007
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A walking tour of downtown Paso Robles that Shuckymomo put together and published in December 2007. He moved out of town and asked for someone to adopt this special cache. I begged to be the owner and anticipate placing one or two more PRHMTs - hence the name change.

The cache is NOT at the above posted coordinates! This is an offset multi-cache. For the history buffs out there here's a nice leisurely stroll through Downtown Paso Robles with ten separate waypoints.

Starting at the north end of City Park, this tour will take you back to the bygone days of early Paso Robles. You may want to print this out so you can take it with you and read about the area as you go. At each waypoint you will gather the missing digit which is masked here with one or more "X's." Simple math is required to achieve your goal of filling in the numbers for the final cache coords which is just a block away. Park anywhere around the park. The tour should take about one hour. The final coordinates are within a short walking distance from the park. The park would be a great setting for a picnic.

Final coords:

N 35 A B . C D E W120 F G . H I J

N 35 ____ . _____ W120 ____ . _____

The cache container is an Altoids container with some goodies. BYOP! Since this is mainly about the tour, I made the container small. Flat and small trinkets can be traded.

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As a side note, notice as you are walking to the first waypoint, admire the new clock tower. The building and clock tower came down in the 2003 earthquake that killed two people. The clock faces were saved from the original clocktower.

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Waypoint #1 N35 37.647 W120 41.417 Look east across the street. This building was built circa 1911 and the second floor was home to the International Order of Odd Fellows, Masonic Lodge, Eagles Lodge and many other organizations. The stage on the east end was used for concerts and such. The third floor contains one large 3000 sq. ft. room that stood empty for many years. On the street level where the restaurant is, was initially, J.B. Byarslo Store #50- an Italian Grocery and Meat Market. Secondly, Paso Robles’ first bowling alley, then Roscoe’s 5&10 store in the late 1940’s. Where the bank is was once the Paso Robles Tailor Shop and then the US Post Office. Today, the top floor is office space and the second floor ballroom is used for community events. Look at the top of the building. You will see 4 letters. Take the last one and turn it into the sequential number (a,b,c...1, 2, 3…) X - 3 = A

Waypoint #2 N35 37.656 W120 41.422 http://i19.tinypic.com/8bp8m7l.jpg ( the link picture is facing west) On this corner was Horace George Wright’s home and office of the “Paso Robles Leader”, Paso’s first newspaper. The papers first edition was printed in San Francisco and distributed to the prospective town-lot buyers who arrived on a special excursion train for the Nov. 17, 1886 land auction. In later years, the building you see before you (as you are looking west) was the First National Bank, then Bank Of Italy which, in 1930, merged with Bank Of America. The address of this building is 1X45 Park Street. B - 5 = X

Waypoint #3 N35 37.666 W120 41.366 http://i6.tinypic.com/85pvw3a.jpg Look north across the street. This building was originally 2 stories tall. This “business name” was a dealer in general merchandise. Built by Nathan Elliot. In 1903, the building was bought by George Bell and he ran his mercantile business for many years at this location. George was a prominent local pioneer merchant in Paso Robles. The bottom story was modernized after a fire in 1931 caused the repair and removal of the second story. You will see a year painted on the front of the building near the top. (In the Spring/Summer, you might have to move to the left or right to see it as I acquired the coords when there were no leaves on the tree) 1893 - XXXX = C

Waypoint #4 N35 37.650 W120 41.327 This building, which houses a present day saloon, was built in 188X. It originally had a second floor balcony with a door, but it was removed in latter years. It was at one time a hotel. The upper floor is home to the Estrada family. The plaque you are standing in front of has a year that you need for the math problem. If you look around by the curb of this coordinate, you will see 3 remaining horse rings left in downtown. These were rings that you tied your horse to. If you look in the sidewalk, there is a plaque about them. X - 3 = D

Waypoint #5 N35 37.632 W120 41.223 http://i5.tinypic.com/7134q55.jpg In 1877, Drury W. James, one of the founders of Paso Robles, built the first schoolhouse here at the intersection of 12th and Riverside Dr. In 1886, one end of the schoolhouse was removed and enlarged to double its capacity because more families arrived and they needed the room. At this coordinate, there is a sign with a number and letter next to each other. The number is X. Square root of X = (?) + 6 = E

Waypoint #6 N35 37.579 W120 41.329 This building was most recently used as a Car Quest parts store. It originally housed Paul and Grace Renke’s Hudson, Packard and Willy’s Automobile Agency and Garage in 1915. It was at one time a feed and grain store. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, horse racing took place on Pine Street every Saturday afternoon starting at the train depot. The address of this building is XX30 Pine Street. F + 7 = XX

Waypoint #7 N35 37.577 W120 41.331 http://i3.tinypic.com/6krl8c1.jpg In 1908, Johnny Weathers and Joe Garcia were bartenders at the Green Dragon Saloon, built in 1887 on Pine Street's west side between 12th & 13th Streets. It was said that in exchange for fixing a knothole on the bar's top, a man got a double shot of Whiskey. The bar is still in use at this pub. The address of this establishment is 1X22. X = G

Waypoint #8 N35 37.545 W120 41.341 Municipal Bath House The building is reminiscent of train depots from the Mission Revival time period. Built with a bond measure of $25,000 by and for the city, the local residents could share in the curative power of hot sulfur water. It was used for that purpose for over 65 years. The water came from a spring on the south side of the property. The temp of the water was 102-110 degrees and never had to be artificially heated. It is now an Retail/Office building. There is a three digit address, 8X0. 2 + H = X

Waypoint #9 N35 37.608 W120 41.343 http://i12.tinypic.com/87dxssi.jpg This was originally the site of the grand Alexander Hotel. Built in 188X by Alexander Stowell for $7000. The rooms were on the second story. The first floor contained many businesses: hardware store, restaurant, meeting rooms, barber shop and, in 1893, the first meat market with refrigerators to preserve the meat. In 1899, Alexander Monteith purchased the building and members of his family were involved in its operation for nearly a century. The second story was removed in 1937. X + I = 17

Waypoint #10 N35 37.578 W120 41.412 This Time Capsule was dedicated in honor of the 100 year anniversary of Paso Robles’ incorporation. The year it is to be opened is 20XX. Too bad most of us won’t be around to see it opened! 2/24/08 - At this time, since they are fixing the Carnegie Library, you won't be able to get to the coordinates of this last one. You will get within 6-7 feet north of it. Hope you have good eyes...maybe grab a passerby to read it?? 3J + 57 = XX

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Have fun and remember that Paso Robles was voted the Great American Main Street in 2004! The cache site is E of your present location. Watch for muggles across street and in cars. PLEASE place cache back EXACTLY as found!! (You'll know why when you find it) Kid Friendly Cache In - Trash Out! Night Cache Wheelchair Access Dogs Allowed Available year-round Water Available Accessible in Winter Beware of Muggles! Bring a pen or pencil.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ebyyva... Ebyyva... Ebyyva ba gur Evire... 11 sebz gur evtug & hc.

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)