GC13QKF Back to the Future: DWS/Mercyhurst West (Traditional Cache) in Pennsylvania, United States created by Capt. Jim

GC13QKF ▼

A cache by Capt. Jim Message this owner

Hidden : 6/18/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This is another Girard historical cache, located near an interesting artifact left from the former Divine Word Seminary.

Description

The college has rebuilt the pond here and will likely eventually rebuild the bridge that formerly crossed the middle of the pond. Eventually, this cache will need to be archived when construction begins for a permanent "West" branch of Mercyhurst College; however, this may be anywhere from two to ten years away. In the meantime, enjoy the grounds and the interesting large beechnut trees near the cache. I will watch your logs as you speculate the purpose of the artifact near the cache site! Unfortunately,the artifact has been defaced since the cache was originally placed and it is no longer as interesting as it once was

It originally had a pyramid on it. (Stargate?)

Parking

You can park on the northern berm of Rt. 20, but I would recommend parking at Rite-Aid Pharmacy or Pizza Hut on the south side of the road, especially during the snowy winter months.NOTE: It is not necessary to get your feet wet, look around for an easy way in to the cache. Note: the property has recently been posted for hunting and ATV's. I have contacted school personnel for permission to still do the cache.

Key Dates in the History of Mercyhurst West

1912 – The Society of the Divine Word establishes a seminary for high school-age students in Girard.
1917 – A brick structure is built that would last until 1986.
1926 – In Erie, the Sisters of Mercy open the doors to Mercyhurst for the education of young women of high school and college age.
1969 – Mercyhurst College becomes coed.
1969 – Divine Word Seminary is closed. Seminarians move to St. Mark Seminary.
1986 – Divine Word Seminary building is razed.
May 28, 2005 – Mercyhurst College purchases the 405-acre site from the Society of the Divine Word for $1.85 million. (press release)
Aug. 6, 2005 – The Mercyhurst Community Action Committee and the west Erie County community celebrate the birth of Mercyhurst West – a college of opportunity with one-year certificate and two-year degree programs. Ten thousand people attend a fireworks display to celebrate the event.
May 1, 2006 – Mercyhurst College purchases the former Faith Lutheran Church on Rte. 20 in Girard and lays the foundations for the first courses to be offered at the West Campus.
Aug. 31, 2006 – Mercyhurst West comes to life as classes begin at the temporary West Campus site. Long-range planning for innovative programming and an exceptional, state-of-the-art permanent facility take shape as Mercyhurst College and the West County work together to bring new opportunities to the Erie regional community.
Fall 2013 Mercyhurst announces that they are abandoning plans for a west county campus. What will the future bring to this property??