You may have poor reception in the area of the cache. So, this
cache has been set up as two types . . . an offset and a
regular.
This gives you TWO options to locate the cache, both options
lead to the same place
OPTION ONE (Offset) The posted coordinates are for Waypoint 1,
where I had an EPE of 9'. From Waypoint 1, you will travel
approximately 65' on a bearing of 007 Degrees. Thanks to Gubbie and
Kid Dylan for helping me cache the error in my ways. (grin)
OPTION TWO (Regular - If OPTION ONE does not make sense) The
cache is located at Waypoint 2, where I had an EPE of 17'.
Between the two, you should have little difficulty locating this
cache, which is accessible to most handicapped cachers. You are
looking for a small cache, with log, pencil and small trade items.
There is room for pins, geocoins and small TB's.
The 'Bridge To Nowhere' is "Mary's River Covered Bridge." There
is a two sided informational sign located nearby. The side with
information on the bridge is easily readable; the side with
Chester-Kaskaskia information is faded and barely legible, however,
it shows up very nicely with flash. The text from both sides and
pictures of both sides are below.
"Built in 1854, in continuous service from 1854-1930. Was
originally part of a planked toll road between Breman and Chester.
All of the timber in the bridge is the original with the exceptions
of the floor, floor joist, roof and siding. Aquired by the State of
Illinois in 1936 for purposes of preservation and a picnic area.
Money for the purchase of the site was donated by Chester Chamber
of Commerce."
"Chester--Kaskaskia, Illinois
Shadrach Bond, first governor of Illinois (1818-1822), is buried
in Evergreen Cemetery in Chester. The first recorded settler in the
area was John McFerron who purchased land in 1817 buy Samuel Smith,
who settled here in 1830, is considered the founder of Chester.
Formerly known as Smith's Landing, the community was renamed after
Chester, England. The town was a river port for the export of such
local products as castor oil, flour and meat during the
mid-nineteenth century it became the county seat in 1848 and was
incorporated as a city in 1855.
Kaskaskia, founded in 1703 as a Jesuit Mission, became a
prominent French village. During the French and Indian War
(1754-1763) between France and Britain, Fort Kaskasia was erected
on the bluffs near the settlement. By Treaty of Paris in 17?3,
Kaskaskia came under British control. On July 4, 1778 George Rogers
Clark captured the Kaskaskia Settlement and the area became part of
Virginia. Kaskaskia served as Illinois Territorial Capital
(1809-1818) and as the first state capital (1818-1820). when the
capital was moved to Vandalia, Kaskaskia declined in importance.
Mississippi floods from 1844 to 1910 gradually destroyed the old
settlement, and the area is now Fort Kaskaskia State
Park.
Sites of interest include the Garrison Hill Cemetery containing
a monument to the pioneers; the home of Pierre Menard, first
Lieutenant Governor, which is preserved as a state memorial and the
Kaskaskia State Memorial on Kasksakia Island containing the Liberty
Bell of the West."
George Rogers Clark Campsite
In the third year of the American Revolutionary War, Lt.
Colonel George Rogers Clark and his army of 170 Virginians set out
from Fort Massac (Metropolis) on their way to liberate the town of
Kaskaskia from British control. On July 3, 1778, Clark's army
crossed the old state ford near Welge and established its fifth and
final camp on the West side of St. Mary's River.
On July 4th Clark's Army marched to a staging point at
Diamond Cross and later that evening attacked and secured
Kaskaskia.
