Elkader Arches: Keystone Bridge #1 Traditional Cache
medoug: I checked on this cache. There is construction work going on in the area. Please respect the orange fence. I am temporarily disabling this cache until the work is completed. Hopefully it will be done soon. I will check the area regularly to reactivate the cache once it is safe again.
Elkader Arches: Keystone Bridge #1
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache will take you to a small city park next to a rare keystone bridge, which along with the nearby dam and courthouse clock tower, has become an iconic symbol for the city of Elkader. (See gallery images.) This bridge is famous for being the longest (246 feet) stone arch bridge remaining west of the Mississippi River.
Keystone arch construction requires that carefully shaped stones be laid in place over a temporary wooden support until the last center stone (the “keystone”) completed the arch to lock the structure together allowing the wooden support to be removed. (See the photo in the image gallery which shows one of the two "keystones" being placed during construction of this bridge.)
Completed in 1889 at a cost of $16,282, this double-arch bridge replaced an old wood and iron structure which was determined to be unsafe after nearly 30 years of use. Over 18 million pounds (4000+ cubic yards) of stone were transported by wagon from the Lover’s Leap quarry to build this bridge. (Also see my “Elkader’s Lovers Leap” geocache.) Make sure to walk the sidewalk later added to the north side of the bridge during your visit. In 1976, this bridge was added to the National Register of Historical Places.
The cache: The cache is a tethered camouflaged pill bottle with a logbook, and starts with a few nice trade items. Bring your own pencil. Please sign the log, trade fairly, and return the cache to its original location and state of concealment for others to enjoy.
If you like this cache, you might also want to check out the nearby “Hidden Bridge: Keystone Bridge #2” and “Bridge over a Bridge: Keystone Bridge #3” caches.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
ABG ba gur ybjre greenpr. N synfuyvtug zvtug or urycshy qrcraqvat ba ubj gur cerivbhf pnpure ercynprq vg.
Treasures
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