Venango-Forest Kidz Kache Trail - Tionesta Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

DevinC: Archiving this one. Thanks to those who found it over the years.

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Hidden : 7/13/2011
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


This geocahe is part of the Venango-Forest Kidz Kache geotrail, a grant funded event designed to introduce youth to the interpretive, physical, and recreational benefits of geocaching. This geotrail is very kid-friendly and beginner oriented and each cache location contains historical, cultural, geological, or natual value. The Kidz Kache geotrail consists of twelve geocaches, six each in Forest and Venango counties. This cache contains a unique self-inking rubber stamp, which you use to stamp your Venango-Forest Kidz Kache passport to verify that you found it. When you have found a minimum of eight Kidz Kache caches, you will be eligible to have your passport validated and receive a gift bag with locally donated prizes and a commemorative pathtag. You must have your official Kidz Kache passport with you when you find this cache in order to stamp it. The event starts on July 15th, 2011. For complete details and to pick up a passport, visit these locations: in Forest county - Forest County Visitor’s Bureau and Marienville Ranger District; in Venango County - Lifelong Learning Programs and Oil Region Alliance.

This geocache is located at the courthouse in Tionesta.

Situated along the Allegheny River, the small town of Tionesta serves as the county seat for Forest County. The name Tionesta is a Native American word meaning "waters meet." Tionesta was built around the confluence of Tionesta Creek and the Allegheny River. Natural resources such as lumber and oil played into the development of the community. In the mid-1800s, a simple county courthouse was established. Later, in the 1880s, the seat of local government was improved with commissioned artwork in the courtroom. Artist Henry Steiff was contracted to paint 2 fresco murals - one on each side of the judge's bench, and each over 10 feet tall. Lady Justice holds the scales of justice, and a sword, and is blindfolded to show that justice should be "blind", or equal. Lady Liberty holds a shield covered in the stars and stripes of the United States.

It was thought that these incredible pieces of art were lost, since, over the decades, renovation projects obscured the frescoes. The frescoes were only recently rediscovered (2006). Luckily, the frescoes were saved, restored, and returned to their places in the Forest County Courthouse. The paintings can be viewed during business hours, as long as court is not in session.

To read an article written by the person who found the murals, visit this website: (visit link)

Besides the courthouse, the most recognizable landmark in Tionesta is the lighthouse that is on an island that is accessible from town.

Forest County is famous as a rural retreat. Nearly 75% of all dwellings in the county are second or vacation homes and the county prides itself on the fact that it does not have a single traffic light. Forest county was created on April 11, 1848, from part of Jefferson County. The county was enlarged on October 31, 1866, when part of Venango County was incorporated into the county.

Enjoy the cache and take some time to enjoy town. There are many other caches in town, including a couple on the island with the lighthouse.

This cache has been placed with the permission of the Forest County Board of Commissioners.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre n Eubqbqraqreba.

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)


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