Chick Springs *ARCHIVED 6-1-16*
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Chick Springs is located in Taylors, SC. It is on Old Chick Springs Rd, which is off Main Street in Taylors, SC. I had a cache very here before, which I archived due to being too close to the road. I have now received permission to place one ON the Chick Springs property itself, owned by the Bull family, which is being renovated as a future park by the Chick Springs Association. Permission granted by Wyatt B. of that association.
***This cache is located in Taylors, S.C with a little history thrown in.
The History:
.....Old Chick Springs Road turns off of Main Street in Taylors. The area is steeped in history, although most folks have little knowledge of it. While the site is very historic, it had become totally run-down and grown over. It is now being renovated for a park by the Chick Springs Association. You can still see the spring house and Gazebo.
.....Lick Springs,(now called Chick Springs), in Taylors, S.C. possibly represents the growth of the area from its first settlers of 1766, when Lick Springs was the name
because wild animals would come to lick off of the rocks present as a possibly healthful benefit. In 1840, Doctor Burwell Chick built the Chick Spring Hotel. It consisted of a building with 60 rooms, on 300 acres. Folks from all over the Southeast came to drink of the therapeutic waters. Doctor Chick also bottled the water for shipping throughout the South. In 1873 when a railroad was built, the station established there was named Taylors, for Alfred Taylor, who owned the land nearby. However, the hotel is now long gone, and only the spring house and some other structures remain. There was a picnic shelter(Gazebo), a grill structure(which are both still present), as well as a swimming area. While the Chicks Springs Gazebo(picnic area) & Springhouse are still present, they have fallen into disrepair, but are being renovated.
In the mid-nineteenth century, Chick Springs became an elite resort. The resort's hotel became a hospital after the resort closed. When the hospital director died in 1932, Norris Manufacturing Company was built on the former resort site. Chick Springs was once a place where faithful believers of the healthful benefits of the powers of mineral water would come and drink the water, hoping to be restored by the healing powers of the water.
There used to be(a long time ago) a hotel that people from far and wide visited. There was a lake and a dock, as well as a swimming atea. Now there remains only the old springhouse(now in the midst of restoration) and the gazebo located on 16 acres. The Chick Springs Park Association is in the process of renovation to make this a park for all to enjoy. Recent clearing has opened up the area so you can now see the original spinghouse(where you can still see and hear the spring burbling up), and the gazebo which was used for picnics. Ginger Ale was also made at the bottling plant which bottled the waters found there that were believed to have medicinal properties.
Now that the area has been partially cleared, I have obtained permission to place a cache at this historic site.
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You will be searching for a small container, about the size of a 35mm film canister. It contains a log only.
It is located At the Spring House, camouflaged as something on it.
NOTE: GPS coordinates may vary somewhat due to the tree cover.
NOTE***:While there are signs that say No Tresspassing, I HAVE BEEN GIVE PERMISSION FOR CACHERS TO ENTER THE PROPERTY. Mr Wyatt Bridges(Of the Chick Springs Park Association) has assured me that the signs are there ONLY TO PREVENT VANDALS from bothering the property, and THAT CACHERS ARE WELCOME TO SEARCH ON THE PROPERTY FOR THIS CACHE!
You can park very near the park at a pull-off, or right at the entrance (pull off the road itself). BEST is to ENTER BETWEEN THE BRICK PILLARS.
Take time to explore the grounds. Be careful of roots/vines as the renovation and clearing is till in progress.
As you search for the cache, stop by a window of the springhouse and listen to the spring burbling up inside.
NOTE: You must be able to reach about 6 feet high for this cache!, so, while this is suitable for kids, have an adult who is able to reach up 6 feet.
GOOD LUCK, and Happy Caching!!
*****FTF HONORS GO TO...surf89 AND Baby75!!!(co-FTFs)*****
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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