GRANDAD BLUFF LEGACY Multi-Cache
Wis Kid: As there has been no owner action in the last 30 days, I am regrettably forced to archive this listing.
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache was placed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this park. Today was the first official GRANDAD BLUFF DAY and they reopened the park after an extensive makeover. I found myself exploring the quarry after the ceremony today and came across the old tramway. What a very cool area with some nice lookouts. The first stage is a bison tube containing the coords to the final. Both stages should be relatively safe to access and retrieve. Use caution and don't follow your GPSr off a cliff.
Grandad Park was started with the purchase of the land from the state by Judge George Gale (Galesville's namesake) in July 1851. Between 1851 and 1912, there were 83 property transfers. The last owner was Mrs. Ellis B. Usher, daughter of Henry Bliss, who had built the road to the top of Grandad (Bliss Road). Mrs. Usher transferred the deed to Joseph Hixon in 1909 until it could be transferred to the city.
Grandad Bluff was purchased using private donations from Mrs. Frank Hixon ($12,000), plus $3,000 from other La Crosse residents. $2,000 was raised for road construction. The purpose of Grandad Bluff was for park purposes, with a clause providing a site for a water reservoir. For park visitors, a parking lot was constructed 300' from the point in 1931.
A 22' x 29' shelter house was constructed by the WPA Program which cost $11,500 and using stone quarried from the south side of the bluff in 1938. In 1941, a 65' flag pole was erected by the La Crosse Chapter of Reserve Officers Association. The money contributed by the La Crosse school children was used for this project. Eleven years later, in 1952, a rustic split rail fence of native oak was constructed along with two new picnic areas with parking.
To be protected from weather, the shelter house was enclosed and wired for electricity in 1954. About 10 years later restrooms were built for public use. In June 1975, a commemorative rock was placed at the top of Grandad Bluff near the parking lot which reads:
This bluff (commonly called "Grandad Bluff") was the site of the first complete service of Christian Divine Worship to be conducted in La Crosse. The Reverend Father James Lloyd Beck and his company of pioneer missionaries on the morning of June Twenty Third, the fourth Sunday after Trinity, Eighteen Hundred Fifty, climbed to the top of the bluff and celebrated the Holy Eucharist in accordance with the book of common prayer.
This commemorative marker dedicated on the one hundred twenty fifth anniversary of the occasion by Christ Church Parish in conjunction with the La Crosse County Historical Society and the cooperation of the City of La Crosse.
In 1976, a new pump house was constructed; it was donated by the La Crosse Building Trades Council. Four years later, in 1980, park employees completed the landscaping at the point, which included the steps and terrace. In 1984, the old flag pole was removed, new fencing replaced the old 1952 split rail fencing, and cement picnic tables were installed. Ten years later, a 75' flag pole was erected by the La Crosse Jaycees at a cost of $5,000. In 1999 , after high winds took the flag pole down, a new pole was funded by William and Louise Bruring.
Today the Park was reopened with 1.4 Million Dollars worth of improvements. It is much safer and kid friendly. Come and enjoy! The legacy continues...
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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