Stirling National Historic Site Multi-Cache
codebreaker: Too many local children know of the cache. The second stage gets looted and the first stage stolen. I’m not servicing it anymore.
Stirling National Historic Site
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This multi-cache is on Village property (not across property line) and there are generally few muggles. Take your time and enjoy the hide.
FYI-The second stage is not a micro.
Much of Southern Alberta was settled by Mormon pioneers. the community of Stirling portrays Mormon pioneer heritage more than any other similar community in this area. The Michelsen Homestead which dates back to 1902, is a good example of this. The Government of Canada designated Stirling as a National Historic Site in 1989.
From the very beginning it was clear that the new settlement of Stirling was expected to be economically self-sufficient. Allotment of 2.5 acre building plots were designed specifically so the individual owners could provide their own food. Equally important, but sometimes overlooked, was the expectation that the newly established village should be a community in the fullest sense. This must of course, include cultural outlets to relieve the monotony of daily labour.
The ability to provide for themselves culturally as well as physically, contributed to the strength and self-reliance that was a sustaining force for Stirling throughout the years.
Entertainment at the turn of the century had to be locally provided, for travel was slow and difficult. House parties were the norm for the early settlers. Friends would gather at various homes for visiting, card playing, or spontaneous music. Locals would play the bones for rhythm, or the violin for a quick dance, others were known for singing.
The Michelsen home was a favorite gathering place for many years, and the family hosted many dances typical of those house parties. Though by today's standards the space was limited, moving furniture and rolling back rugs in the parlor and dining rooms created enough room to dance one square. The fiddler would lean against the archway between the two rooms and play whatever the dancer desired. If the group was larger and the weather was good, the dancers were moved to the loft of the barn. Michelsen barn dances were popular for more than 75 years.
As the time went on the dayliner to Lethbridge offered new opportunities to the residents of Stirling and the surrounding area. But the Michelsen Farmstead remained a favorite gathering place - though its focus had changed slightly. Farmers from the surrounding area would often drive their teams to Stirling. They would then catch the train to Lethbridge leaving their team and wagon at the Michelsen farm, sometimes for several days.
The popularity of the farm was not restricted to the adults. Youngsters found the hay loft to be a perfect place to "sleepover" and the young Michelsen boys carried on endless "Cops and Robbers" shoot outs with their friends. The Michelsen boys were the preferred "bad guys" in these games. This latter activity was a source of great concern to one neighbour who predicted a dark future for young boys who spent so much of their time in such "unlawful play". Ironically, three of the four boys pursued careers in law enforcement.
The continued importance of the Michelsen Farmstead can still be seen today even though no Michelsens now reside in the home. .
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ab lbh'er abg n xabgurnq.....ernyyl!
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures