'Sparky' Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The cache is dedicted to the memory of my old boss and friend, Jim W, who passed away at the age of 38 in 1994. Jim loved to ride his Harley on the open road and he loved scary places.
We placed this cache in winter, so critters were not a problem. In summer, watch for snakes, wasps, and ants. If it turns out to be too bad, let us know so that we can relocate the cache.
The cache large enough only for coins and dogtags with small attachments.
This scary place is an old power plant. I would not want to go in there! It reminds me of one of those haunted buildings on Ghost Hunters.
From The Huerfano World Journal:
This power plant, built in 1912 to replace a smaller one built in 1898, was a $400,000 project. Over the years it supplied electric power to at least 30 coal mines and Walsenburg. The surrounding Walsen coal camp of 191 company houses, also had a schoolhouse, bathhouses, garages, club house, a YMCA, boarding houses, basketball and baseball teams with a large grandstand, and a Colorado Supply Company store. The county population was twice what it is today.
Some 157 miles of underground coal mining tunnels in the area underneath the plant meant the Walsen mine with multiple entrances was one of the major producers in Huerfano County. Eighty miners lost their lives in these tunnels and in accidents on top.
Although the mine closed in 1931, the power plant continued to produce electricity under various owners including Trinidad Gas and Electric company and Frontier Power Company until 1955 when the city of Walsenburg bought it. Finally the city was operating it at a loss of $5,000 a month and closed it in 1978. San Isabel Electric has been supplying the city with electricity since then.
In 2008, John Carlson of the Huerfano County Historical Society nominated the power plant to the Most Endangered Places 2009 list. It was one of four selected. Presently the plant is for sale; it is likely an historic structure assessment will be made.
.....
Worth mentioning is nearby Lathrop State Park along US 160. Lathrop State Park, part of the Colorado State Park system, offers full hookup camping in the summer, boating, fishing, hiking, golf, and GEOCACHING! There are a number of great caches and activities at Lathrop worth the entrance fee.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Purpx bhg zl bcra gehax.