Old Red Brick School Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Chuck Walla: Greetings from your Community Volunteer Reviewer,

I see that you have not responded to my reviewer log about your cache, by posting a note to your cache page to tell me and others of your intention to address the issue with it.

No response tells me that you are not planning on replacing or repairing this cache. Therefore, I am archiving your cache.

Sincerely,

Chuck Walla
Community Volunteer Reviewer
Geocaching.com

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Hidden : 4/13/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


As you enter this location you will see all that remains of the Old Red Brick School.

The school was built in 1892 using funds donated to the city by W. H. Reid, a Chicago banker who spent summers in Eureka Springs. He also built the Veranda Inn, which still stands near the Crescent Hotel. To honor Reid for his generous gift the school was known as the W. H. Reid School.

The Red Brick School was a public school for all grades. The first school term started on September 3, 1892. At that time there were three public school buildings, the new W. H. Reid School, the Soldier School on East Mountain and the Clay Street School in South Eureka. At that time school was then being held continuously for nine months of the year.

The Reid School, which was also known as the Red Brick School, was three stories plus a walkout basement. Classes were held there from 1892 to 1951. There was a house next door to the Northwest that was used for some elementary classes and the cafeteria.

A unique feature of the school was it's 2 story Kirk-Bender spiral fire escape. The two ground floors evacuated out the doors, the others slid down to safety inside a giant steel tube, making fire drills something enjoyed by most of the students. A couple of senior boys always had to slide down the fire escape in gunny sacks to clean out the slide before a fire drill. There is a story of a senior boy who poured molasses down it!

In 1951 it was sold with the stipulation that the top floor be removed as it had been condemned. It was bought and sold several times over the years. In July 1987 it was purchased and remodeled as a Bed & Breakfast which could accomodate 45 people.

On June 30, 1988 The School House Inn suffered a lightning strike about 9:15pm which started a fire that by 9:45pm had totally engulfed the top floor. One million gallons of water later all that remained standing were burned walls and the unique fire escape, a backhoe was brought in to knock them down. The fire continued to smolder until mid-week. According to the local newspaper the estimated loss was $300,000. There was much speculation within the community about the cause of the fire.

The Red Brick School House was located on Kansas St, just off the historic loop. The retaining wall for the school yard can still be seen on Howell Street.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into history.

The cache contains a nice crisp $2 bill for the FTF.

Congrats to jpark72597 for the FTF.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Whfg n ubyr va gur "ebpx" jnyy.

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)


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