Back in the early 1900s, the Union Cypress Railroad use to pass through this area. Steam locomotives from Deer Park and the Jane Green Swamp area would haul huge cypress trees back to the town of Hopkins (now present day south Melbourne) for milling. The railroad was also used to transport automobiles during the early 1920s when the road from Kissimmee to Melbourne was closed for repairs. It cost $1 to cross the swamps on a train flatbed and that was considered pretty expensive back then.
There were 5 stations built along the railroad: Grass Mere (sometimes called Omega) located 1.5 miles east of the county line; Agnes was on the west side of the St. Johns River; Alpha (the one where the cache is located) was on the east side of the St. Johns River; Patterson (now present day June Park) was just east of I-95; and Gagner (now West Melbourne) was 2 miles west of Hopkins. Unfortunately, when the timber business went bust during the great depression, the railroad was dismantled and sold.
You can still see the old railroad bed including trestles from the bridge that use to cross the St. Johns River. Be sure to check out the old North Indian Field Mound while you're there. It's located about a quarter mile southwest of the cache site. It's an easy hike through a very beautiful oak hammock. Just be really careful. This area is heavily used by hunters during the weekends. My advice would be to do this one on a weekday or wait till hunting season is over (end of April).
Cache Container & Contents:
The cache container is a black ammo box consisting of old relics from the past. It also includes new editions of the custom made Silver Dollar buttons and some Railroad buttons.
Directions & Fees:
You can launch small motor boats, jetskies, airboats, canoes and kayaks from Camp Holly's boat ramp at coordinates N28° 05.086 W80° 45.146. A $3.00 fee is required. Distance from cache site is about 3 miles.
Update:
You can now hike or bike to this cache site from Sweetwater Drive off of Hwy 192 using the levees. Parking is available near coordinates N28° 04.717 W80° 44.559 .
Additional Information:
MarshBunnyNotes on the Union Cypress Railway
Wikipedia Article about the Union Cypress Company
Recreation Guide from the St. Johns Water Management District
Florida Times-Union Article by Roger Bull
Florida Fish & Wildlife Hunting Regulations
Approvals:
Cache has been approved by Doug Voltolina, Southern Regional Land Manager for the St. Johns Water Management District.
First to Find: Capn-Jack
Bonus Finders: Brush99 & Robbie Dobbie