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Coombsville Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Hemlock: Since there's been no response to the previous note, I'm archiving this cache to free up the area.

When/if this cache is replaced, please email me at hemlock@geocachingadmin.com and if it is still within the guidelines for cache placement and publishing, I'll be happy to unarchive it.

Hemlock
Volunteer Geocache Reviewer

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Hidden : 5/27/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


The northwest corner of Coombsville and First Avenue provides plenty of easy parking. Depending on what time of day you arrive, the area can be completely deserted or a speedway with cars zipping past. Use appropriate caution and stealth.

Welcome to Coombsville. While not a name that shows up on any map, Coombsville has been the colloquial name for the acreage immediately east of downtown since the mid-1800s. A small cup and saucer valley created by the hills and lowlands surrounding Tulucay Creek, Coombsville loosely extends from the river’s eastern bank to the edge of the hills a few miles east of here.

The namesake of Coombsville, Nathan Coombs, was a native of Middleborough, Massachusetts. He moved west to Oregon in 1842, eventually making his way to California in 1843. After a few years spent working in Bodega Bay and Woodland, Coombs married Maria Isabel Gordon in 1845 and moved to the Napa Valley shortly after. Upon arriving, he purchased three plots of land; a large parcel north west of Napa, a smaller parcel just east of here, and a small parcel on the western shore of the river along Napa Creek.

This latter parcel, purchased from Nicholas Higuera out of his Rancho Entre de Napa, eventually became the footprint for the city of Napa. When Coombs founded the city of Napa in 1847, it was hardly a city at all. The only structures in the area were two adobes owned by Cayetano Juarez and Nicholas Higuera. The first structure built after Napa was founded was, typical of the period in history, a saloon. Soon after, the town had two general stores, one owned by General Mariano Vallejo and the other by Joseph P. Thompson. The rest, as they say, became history.

In addition to being a pioneer and founding father of the city, Coombs also played a role in the state legislature, serving two terms in the state assembly. In addition, he was a philanthropist, donating the land to build both the First Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church downtown. After spending the last few years of his life at his ranch home outside of the city, Coombs passed away on December 26, 1877. He is buried at Tulocay Cemetery, fittingly, within the neighborhood that bears his name.

Congratulations to MCL 1080 for first to find !

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zntargvp.

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)