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Laughing Waters | Lost Treasures Mystery Cache

Hidden : 9/11/2007
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

CACHE IS NOT AT THE ABOVE COORDINATES

Final cache is at N44°AB.CDE W88°FG.HIJ, plus F=B & H=E

Found Treasures


I am personally affected when significant architectural structures are summarily razed to the ground without consideration or consequence to make way for lesser structures when the intrinsic historical value is not factored into the monetary equation. Evey day we loose historical treasures that we will never again get the opportunity to witness for ourselves. Menasha is no different and has lost its share of great buildings.

The first is The Original Elisha D. Smith Public Library which stood on the shore near the current Banta headquarters, for a little over 90 years. It was the cultural and educational center that Elisha Smith, a visionary industrialist, dreamt it would be and has been replaced by a decent and modernized version constructed in 19G9, BC years before this beautiful edifice was brought to the ground. You can see in the old postcard that the original had J arches and above them, D window bays. It was completed just A year(s) after ground was broken. You can also still see the cornerstone of the original library below the historical plaque at the reference waypoint.

An equally significant loss was that of the First City Hall in the Fox River Valley, built in AIIH, which served many purposes over the years including a jail, police station and fire station. It remained a fire station until 1979, after which it stood vacant for I years until it too was razed to the ground. If you visit the establishment that is here today you will see tributes to the original firestation in several places, including an item on the menu the pays tribute to this "sacred ground."

MENASHA: Named after the Indian wordMenashay meaning “settlement on the island,” along with its sister city Neenah meaning “clear water” they are collectively also taken to mean "Laughing Waters" for the sounds that emanated from the twin falls on either side of the island.

This series will not only introduce you to the city of Menasha, but also give you some significant historical knowledge about this town which many drive through just to get from the north side of the Valley to the south. So, the next time you pass through town, you might want to take a little time to look around and appreciate its many unique offerings and establishments.

A huge thanks to Alderman Taylor for providing even deeper historical insight and information than I was able to obtain. It is our hope that after doing the series you will be inclined to stop for a bit the next time you drive through town and appreciate what a unique little community it has been and continues to be by re-inventing itself.

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