{GHQ} The Woodbridge Tavern Traditional Cache
Hidden : 3/13/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The Geocaching History Quest is a series of caches that are at or near important historical sites that can include the places, people, or events that are part of local, regional, national, or international history.  These caches should be a good lesson of the rich history and better understanding for anyone that visits the area that the caches bring you to.  This history surrounds us almost everywhere we go and hopefully will not be forgotten through our stories and caches that are part of each and every one of us.
As always, with ANY geocache hunt, PERSONAL SAFETY is of the utmost
importance and BE AWARE of your surroundings at all times.


The Woodbridge Tavern in 2001

The Woodbridge Tavern, located at 289 St. Aubin, was a Rivertown-area restaurant and drinking establishment for nearly a century, until the proposed redevelopment of the area into a Casino site led to its closing a few years ago.

It was a favorite of many Metro Detroiters. Many times visiting here for a meal and/or a drink after an sporting event, show, or just "in the area" for the "heck of it".

Another view of the Woodbridge, unknown date.

During the rum-running hey days of Prohibition (1919 to 1933), the Woodbridge ran a speakeasy out of its basement which was frequented by members of the infamous Purple Gang. The Purple Gang (also known as the Sugar House Gang) was a mob with predominantly Jewish members of bootleggers and hijackers in the 1920s, operating out of Detroit, Michigan, which was a major port for running alcohol products during Prohibition due to Detroit's convenient proximity to Canada, which did not participate in Prohibition.

A few folks have shared memories of the old Tavern having a "old and creaky" feel and sound to it. The floors were wooden, there was even an old phone booth in there, and the bar itself was very memorable. Most of the the interior had an "old world" feel to it.

Many area workers would come in for lunch in either suits or hardhats and many folks coming by either before or after the games at night. Even the employees had fun working here. The food (usually the hamburgers) were also good memorable and delicious.

Many musical acts, both local and national, visited and played sets here. There were a few regulars that "tickled the ivories" on the piano here as well and the place was filled with various types of music most nights from Jazz to Rock & Roll.

Marcia Cron shows the narrow, short door in the basement of the Woodbridge Tavern,
which led to a speakeasy run by her grandparents during Prohibition.
The speakeasy was a hangout for members of the Purple Gang. (From the Detroit News)

The Woodbridge Tavern was last open as something called "The Stinky Rose", and currently is being renovated from the fire-damage that almost destroyed the building in February 2007. It is unknown at this time, if the Woodbridge (or anything else) will be re-opened on this site.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AT ALL TIMES HERE.

 Enjoy the hunt as much as i've enjoyed the hide.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Cvcr-Qernz

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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