GC1GCP0 The ruins along Morgan Run (Traditional Cache) in Pennsylvania, United States created by kwazy skwerl

This cache has been archived.

KWAZY SKWERLS: ARCHIVED...[:)]

GC1GCP0 ▼

A cache by kwazy skwerl Message this owner

Hidden : 9/18/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The ruins along Morgan Run ******** State Gamelands #51 Dunbar Mountains

Morgan Run near the furnace

OLD LAUREL FURNACE
Built in 1797 on Laurel Run (now Morgan Run) by John Gibson and Samuel Paxson. Furnace was later sold to Reuben Mochabee and Samuel Wurtz, who, in 1800 built Hampton Forge on Indian Creek. Much of the outer stonework of the furnace had been removed, presumably to build the New Laurel Furnace, located about 1 1/4 miles further downstream in 1812.
Today, all that remains of the furnace is a fair sized pile of the stones and rubble. Remains of the furnace's wheel pit and the tail race as well as sections of stone walls can be seen along the creek bank. Large amounts of the furnace's slag can be found scattered through out the area.
Slowly being overgrown my mother nature through the years, you can easily walk by this site and not even take notice of its existence.

This cache hunt will take you down along Morgan Run to these ruins. The cache itself, though, is located in an area further on down the trail.
*************** Locating the Old Laurel Furnace From the State Gamelands parking area(coords listed below), walk up the road about 10 feet and notice a trail/road to the left going downstream on the right side of Morgan Run. Follow this trail a little over 100 yards until you come to the Morgan Run water hazard. Cross the creek here. Just to the left of the trail on the west bank take note of the small part of a remaining wall. After crossing the water hazard, in front of you will be a large mud area. Here to the left and right of the trail you will see a ditch that is the remains of the furnace water's tail race. From the other side of the mud area off to the left of the trail about 100 feet up the hill will be the ruins of the furnace(coords listed below). At first the furnace ruins may not be recognizable, but you will soon notice the small hill to the left is covered with stone and rubble. The furnace was built here against the hillside providing a ramp for the top loading of the furnace. To the left of the furnace back towards Morgan Run, you will notice a long shallow depression in the ground surrounded by stones. This is where the furnace's water wheel and tail race were located.
This site may not be as impressive as other sites, but considering the fact that this furnace was abandoned and torn down to construct the New Laurel Furnace further on down Morgan Run, these remains of the historical past can still be seen in these mountains after 200+ years. As you will see though, mother nature is reclaiming back to her what was once her own. ***************

Diagram image of a stone furnace stack and the water wheel-powered bellows that blows blasts of air through the hearth. *************** Cache is a camoed medium sized lock-n-lock. No need to tear things up looking for it. Should be an easy find. Rehide as found. ********** Good Luck, Have Fun and as always Be Safe. ****** This cache is located on State Gamelands #51. Be aware of the RULES and REGULATIONS. Maps of SGL #51 can be found HERE and HERE.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)