Ferro Monte Railroad Traditional Cache
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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 an area that was once bustling with iron mining activity.
The Dickerson Mine is one of the oldest former mining operations in the country, and at its height was one of the largest in the area, renowned for its high quality ore. The mine here was owned by the Dickerson family during the 19th century, and managed largely by Mahlon Dickerson's nephew Frederick Canfield during the earlier part of the century while Mahlon was away performing the duties of various public offices including Governor of NJ, US Senator, and Secretary of the Navy under Andrew Jackson's administration. Dickerson's mansion, which he named Ferro Monte meaning "iron mountain" was not far from the shaft. The whole area took the name, and eventually became its own town on the map with the nearby "Irishtown" on present day Randolph Ave housing the miners. In 1869, the Ferro Monte Railroad was built to transport iron ore more efficiently out of the mine. Many remnants of both the mine and the railroad are still visible in the area, and it is certainly worth exploring.
Here is the ever useful and interesting historical map: (visit link)
The cache is located in an interesting spot along the former railroad with some stone structures and walls, the exact purpose of which remain a mystery to me.
Parking is up to you, and there are a few options. I used the steep, gated entrance to the compost dump next to the legally reassuring Green Acres sign on Canfield Ave (that name sounds familiar). This route will take you right past the massive, now water filled and fenced off main shaft (do not enter, its fenced for a reason). Take the right turn down the old road that parallels the former railroad which in itself is largely impassable. A small network of ATV trails will take you from the old road to within feet of the cache.
Please re-hide exactly as found, the rock only fits one way. Please to not disturb the rest of the wall. You only have to move one rock; the one I added.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
vafvqr gur fgbar ergnvavat jnyy, oruvaq n chmmyr cvrpr ebpx.
Treasures
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