GC1KKZK Estate of the 10th Baron (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by erickson

This cache has been archived.

geodarts: This cache has served its purpose and is being replaced by a whereigo tour that provides much of the same information.

GC1KKZK ▼

A cache by erickson Message this owner

Hidden : 1/9/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

One of Fairfax's most historical locations. Bird's Nest Glen, the home of Charles Snowden Fairfax, the 10th Baron of Cameron (had he chosen to accept the title).

Charles Fairfax came to California during the gold rush, but found his calling in politics. He became speaker of the Assembly in 1854. Shortly after his marriage to Ada Benham in 1855, he visited one of his boyhood friends who gave them this estate as a wedding present.

Charles imported game birds to hunt and like to fish from an alcove overlooking the creek. Ada planted trees and flowers. The couple entertained so lavishly that friends talked about "going to Fairfax" and the town took on his name. Charles Piercy and Daniel Showalter once visited his house to settle a dispute. Fairfax tried to pacify them — he did not succeed and they walked a short distance away to where Piercy was killed in California's the last political duel. Fairfax served as a Marin supervisor, but died in 1869 during a trip to New York City, after being a delegate at the Democratic National Convention.

In 1893, Charles and Adele Pastori took over the property and established one of the finest Italian restaurants on the West Coast — Pastori's — on the property. With the coming of the railroad, the restaurant became an increasingly popular destination. A 1911 fire destroyed the original buildings, but Adele rebuilt and continued to run the restaurant, where Irving Berlin once serenaded her customers. The business climate, compounded by prohibition, forced her to close in 1925.

Pastori sold the property to the Emporium. At the time, it was one of the largest real estate transactions in the history of Marin County. The store turned it into a country club for its workers. There were picnics, dances, swimming, sporting events, and parties of all kind. Eventually, there was a limit to how much time the workers wanted to spend together and diminishing enthusiasm led the Emporium to close the club in 1937.

In 1944, the Marin Town and Country Club opened its doors and became an immediate success. It was a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and people watching. Over 40 signs in the Bay Area reminded people that when it was cold and foggy in the city, it was warm and sunny in Fairfax. As many as 5000 people attended dances at night in the Redwood Bowl, where some of the most popular bands played. The Club finally closed in 1972.

The property has continued to fall into disrepair, particularly following storms in 1981 that destroyed the dance hall. The estate has been sold, but none of the periodic plans to develop the property were approved by city voters or the town council. The current owner has stated that he wants to sell the property.

The 10th Baron's estate is now posted with no trespassing signs — there is no legal access to even the historical landmark recognizing the site. You can view some of the buildings, including the old Pastori's, from the sidewalk in the back of the Fair-Anselmo Plaza, adjacent to the cache. And people still remember the Town and Country Club's glory days.

The cache is located near the entrance. It is not my favorite kind of hide, but there were problems with another location and I did not want to place it too far away. You do not have to go down the hill and if you are near the bottom of the stairs you should look elsewhere.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Arne gerr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)