Years ago there was a multi cache in this area by MikeBurnside
and he is thrilled that another cache will highlight this old town.
The town of Ricketts arose at a site on the Wyoming-Sullivan County
border along Mehoopany Creek. It was chosen in the summer of 1890
by the Trexler and Turrell Lumber Company, which had contracted to
cut about 5,000 acres of virgin forest land that was owned by
Colonel R. Bruce Ricketts of Wilkes-Barre. The Ricketts Hotel
opened in 1893. It was 40 feet wide by 60 feet long.
The definitive work on the town of Ricketts is entitled "The
Ghost Towns of North Mountain: Ricketts, Mountain Springs, and
Stull," by F. Charles Petrillo and published by the Luzerne County
Historical Society, 49 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
The author's meticulous research and access to marvelous
photographs makes these old places come alive, and we are indebted
to him for this source material. We have taken the liberty of
placing a map of Downtown Ricketts from his book on the web, and
you may find that it adds to your enjoyment of this hunt.
Geocachers and others who frequent the Glen area would add a whole
new dimension to their adventures by coming to know its fascinating
history in the heyday of lumber, ice and railroads.
The center of the ghost town of Ricketts is located 4.2 miles
north of the present park entrance to Lake Jean at Ricketts Glen
State Park on Route 487. Today, unless you knew it was there, you
would drive right by without noticing the area that once had
streets lined with homes, churches, two schools (Wyoming and
Sullivan), a lodge hall, company store and hotel, and the
facilities of one of the largest lumber mills in the region. It all
disappeared eighty five years ago.
Park at the coordinates provided below and walk across the
highway to the trail. There is a small pull off area for one
vehicle at N41 23.553 W076 16.641; this will shorten your walk to
the cache. Either way you go, you will have to bushwhack to the
cache site.
While we enjoy seeing pictures of cachers or scenery, we ask
that no cache spoilers be posted - thank you!
You will be walking in State Game Lands, WEAR ORANGE DURING HUNTING SEASONS!
Congratulations to "Over The Hill Gang" for
the FTF!