Skip to content

GREAT WESTERN LAND COMPANY Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Ice and Wind: The cache owner has not responded to issues with this listing, so I must regretfully archive it. If the cache turns up or is replaced in the near future, email me and I will review it for possible unarchival.

Ice and Wind
Geocaching.com Volunteer Reviewer

More
Hidden : 6/13/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

THIS LOCATION HAS ALWAYS SPARKED INTEREST FOR ME GROWING UP. WITH THE DEEP HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT AREAS IDAHO FALLS HAS, THIS WAS AN INSTRUMENTAL PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IDAHO FALLS AS WE KNOW IT TODAY. SMALL TRADE ITEMS FOR FTF...PENCIL AND NOTEBOOK INSIDE

THIS CACHE CONTAINS A BRIEF “HISTORY” LESSON ABOUT THE AREA YOU ARE SOON TO VISIT

• NEW SWEDEN, WEST OF IDAHO FALLS, AND BORDERED BY THE SNAKE RIVER ON THE EAST AND SOUTH AND THE LAVA BEDS ON THE WEST WAS A RESULT OF THE FORMATION OF THE GREAT WESTERN LAND COMPANY, WHICH CONSTRUCTED THE GREAT WESTERN AND PORTER IRRIGATION CANALS IN 1895. THE SETTLERS BUILT A LUTHERAN CHURCH AND LARGE BARNS EVEN BEFORE THEY FINISHED THEIR HOUSES. BY 1919 ABOUT 12,000 ACRES HAD BEEN CLEARED AND A SYSTEM OF DAMS AND RESERVOIRS ESTABLISHED, AND SETTLERS FILLED UP THE AREA. THE NEW SWEDEN PIONEER ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED TO "KEEP ALIVE THE OLD MEMORIES OF PIONEER DAYS" AND TO OPERATE THE NEW SWEDEN SCHOOL." RESIDENTS CELEBRATED OCCASIONALLY WITH POTLUCK PICNICS, SWEDISH ACCORDION MUSIC, SQUARE DANCES, HORSE-DRAWN WAGON RIDES FOR CHILDREN, A MIDSUMMER POLE RAISING, AND FOLK MUSIC.

• 1895 A SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED IN NEW SWEDEN AREA AND WAS HELD IN THE SWEDISH MISSION CHURCH ABOUT 3/4 MILE SOUTH OF THE PRESENT NEW SWEDEN SCHOOL BUILDING.
THE FIRST SCHOOL IN THE AREA,(1927) CALLED NEW SWEDEN SCHOOL, IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF MILL ROAD (17TH S) AND NEW SWEDEN SCHOOL ROAD (35 W). THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY TIED TO THE SCHOOL - FORMER MAYOR TOM CAMPBELL AND FORMER DISTRICT 91 SUPERINTENDENT, JERRY JACOBSEN WERE BOTH TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS AT NEW SWEDEN SCHOOL, WHOSE BRICK BUILDING WAS KNOWN AS “ONE OF THE MOST PERMANENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS” IN IDAHO

• THE NEW SWEDEN CEMETERY IS LOCATED ON 33 S AND CONTINUES TO BE USED TODAY AND IS BEING EXPANDED. IT IS A TAXING DISTRICT AND ONE HAS TO LIVE IN THE 'NEW SWEDEN' AREA TO BE BURIED THERE. THE 'NEW SWEDEN' IRRIGATION DISTRICT IS LOCATED ON 17TH S AND CONTROLS IRRIGATION WATER FOR THE AREA.

• AN INTERESTING FACT IS THE OLD COMMUNITY STORE ACROSS THE ROAD, WHICH IS NOW A PRIVATE RESIDENCE.

• IN 1991, THE SCHOOL BUILDING WAS PLACED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. TWO BOOKS WORTH READING ARE "AFTER 50 YEARS" AND “CENTURY OF PROGRESS IN NEW SWEDEN.”

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

FZNYY "PNZB" PBAGNVARE NGGNPURQ GB N JVER...

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)