*This cache is placed with permission of the property owners, and is on private property. Please don't park in the middle of the road - pull off to the side and walk back to the cache location to allow room for local traffic to pass. At times, extreme stealth may be required while looking for this cache, especially on weekends and during festivals, as this area is frequented by boaters and locals alike. At the request of the property owners, please refrain from searching for this cache between the hours of midnight and 8 am, since this is a private residence and they value their privacy. Thank you for understanding.*
Don't be afraid to approach the cache location and look if there are people on the porch! They are very friendly people, my inlaws, relatives, and family friends, and like to meet new people. Be sure to make introductions though and let them know where you are from - they may just talk to you a while, so be prepared to sat a spell!
FTF Congratulations go to Thatchman1! Way to go! It was nice to meet you the Saturday morning during the Sternwheeler Festival! I hope you enjoy your FTF Signal Geocoin!
UPDATE!!!!! The original aparatus of this hide has changed somewhat. The bridge turnbuckle this cache was hidden behind is not there anymore, but the seekers will still find something from history in their search. Yes...it is near that historical source of liquid sustenance from which you will find no sustenance today. You can still stand and take a picture of the bridge...we encourage you to do so in fact. Many fun times have been had here watching the goings-on in Marietta and on the Ohio River. We hope you have enjoyed your visit here too. The coords may be just slightly off now, as the cache location has moved back off the sidewalk, but only by about 5 feet or less. Please don't be shy about searching if people are nearby on the porch...they will like talking with you if you give them the chance. They don't bite. Honest. *Spoilers may appear here: The small lock and lock container is attached to a small piece of local history in the side yard of the house. It's big enough for smaller trade items and trackables, although no trackables were added to the cache at placement. You shouldn't need to leave the sidewalk to retrieve the cache, unless your arms can't reach - be mindful if there are flowers planted in the area though. Please don't try to remove the "piece" of history - it is quite firmly and permanently "planted" in place by a rather deep cement plug buried deep in the ground, and tethered by a cable to help deter thieves and vandals.*
And now, for the history behind "A Little Piece..."
As you stand at ground zero contemplating your find, turn and look to the river, upstream. See that bridge spanning the river?
That particular bridge was completed in 1992. It's the 28th longest "continuous truss" bridge in America.
The cache you came here to find is attached to a support "piece" of the original bridge that spanned the river in the same spot until it was detonated in 1988. Watch the bridge detonation here. The original "cantilever" bridge was the first inland cantilever bridge in the United States. It was also the site of the first United Steel Workers union strike, back in 1902.
Some of the original bridge pier supports help support the bridge you see today. Be sure to stand and take your picture with the bridge in the background to post to your log. I look forward to seeing your shots!
I hope you've enjoyed your visit to "A Little Piece of Local
History". Thanks for visiting, and enjoy the hunt!
Initial cache contents include log book and pen, GPS food grades AA and AAA, Chinese Checkers, Toy Story silly bandz, a small hiker first aid pack, a small plastic recorder (music maker), and some miscellaneous coins (nontrackable).