It is amazing how geocaching has the ability to enlighten you
about your surroundings. Mrs. Gecko being from around South Dakota
has lived in many of the small towns around Sioux Falls and the
state. But there is always new opportunity to learn about where one
lives.
During the construction season a few years ago, we had to take
the back roads to and from work. In doing so we found the quaint
little town of Ellis. It is one of those towns that if you blink
you will have already passed through. This little town was founded
in 1893 as a grain town. The Ellis & Eastern railroad is based
here; running for 14.5 miles to Valley Springs to the east on the
Minnesota border. Originally named Scoopville, due to the amount of
grain that was handled and shipped all had to be moved with
‘scoop shovels’, until the grain elevators were built.
At that time the grain company’s suggested the name change to
Ellis, after the grain manager for the firm Peavey and Company.
This bridge cache is located just on the outskirts of Ellis. The
terrain rating is due to the traffic driving by. I can be very busy
and fast and times so use caution when retreiving. Due to another
cache at a nearby location this cache had to be relocated. And
there is a slight pull off nearby.
As you drive through the area you can still see a lot of the
original structures that was Ellis. There is no room for a pen and
we like when the area remains pristine. So please remember to CITO
whenever possible. Happy Caching.
TBG