Um, Dad - Can You Reach That? Traditional Cache
Um, Dad - Can You Reach That?
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The cache is located at the Tantiusques, a Trustees of Reservations, property, and was placed for the Great Northern Tier Geocaching Tournament 2010 – Pioneer Valley - GC25K44. It is now available for any Geocacher who wishes to visit the cache, and enjoy the area after the event.
Team Dilemma would like to thank the TOR for allowing us to enjoy their properties! More information about the TOR can be found at their website, which can be found by cicking on the "[Related Web Page]" link above.
Tantiusques (“tan-te-us-quays”) – a Nipmuc word meaning “to a black deposit between two hills” – was the center of one of New England's first mining operations.
A short loop trail leads through quiet woods; a spur trail passes through the Leadmine Wildlife Management Area and ends at the Robert Crowd Site. Visitors can view the foundations of the house and barn of the African-American and Native American man who worked at the mine in the 1850s.
The Nipmuc originally mined here for graphite to make ceremonial paints. In 1644, John Winthrop, Jr., son of the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, purchased the mine with hopes of extracting lead and iron. In the early 19th century, Captain Joseph Dixon and his son worked here before founding the J. D. Crucible Company of New Jersey, famous manufacturers of pencils.
Today, careful observers can see the mine cuts, ditches, and tailings piles made by the various mining operations. The mineshaft that tunnels into the face of the low ridge is the most recent of all the excavations, dating to 1902. Most of the mining at Tantiusques was of the open trench variety. The cut along the top of the ridge is the partially filled-in remainder of what was once a several thousand foot-long trench, 20 to 50 feet in depth and roughly 6 feet in width, which followed the vein of graphite.
You can read more about it here: (visit link)
..and even grab a WayMark while on your visit: (visit link)
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)