Look West, Young Man! Traditional Cache
Keystone: As the owner has not responded to my prior note, I am archiving this listing.
Regards,
Keystone
Geocaching.com Community Volunteer Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Small rectangular container hidden along the east bank of Grand Lake St. Marys.
Whether known as Celina Grand Reservoir, Lake Saint Marys, or Lake Mercer, Grand Lake St. Marys can trace its origins back to 1837, when work began to create a reservoir for the Miami-Erie Canal. The canal was an important means of transporting goods for the region, and Grand Lake was necessary to supply water to maintain the canal at a depth of five feet. Workers used hand tools to carve out the lake and were paid 35 cents per day-- and a small amount of whiskey to fight off malaria-- for their trouble. When Grand Lake was completed in 1845, it covered 13,500 acres and was the largest man-made reservoir in the world. One source I read stated the lake cost $528,222.07 to create, which must have been a staggering sum in those days.
With the advent of the railroads in the 1870s, the Miami-Erie Canal became less prosperous. However, Grand Lake experienced a resurgence in the 1890s when oil was discovered. At one time, oil derricks were located all over the lake, but all that remains is a pile of rocks near the center to commemorate the location of the last oil-producing well. In 1949, Grand Lake St. Marys was among the first areas to be dedicated as an Ohio State Park. Since then, it has been a popular destination for fishing, camping, and recreation. At approximately nine miles long and three miles wide, Grand Lake remains Ohio's largest inland lake.
I chose this spot to showcase what I believe is a beautiful view of the lake, and a popular spot for locals to watch the sunset. Also, near this location is the bulkhead where the lake connects to the Miami-Erie Canal via a three-mile feeder ditch.
Please use caution when retrieving this cache. During winter, please do not assume that it's safe to walk on the ice when the lake is frozen.
This cache was placed with permission from the Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Office. Please observe all park rules. The park closes at 11:00 p.m.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgnaqvat gnyy ng jngre'f rqtr.
Ebpx qbrfa'g zbir lbh? Gel zbivat gur ebpx!