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Cottonwood Station - Pony Express Traditional Cache

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Flatland Reviewer: This cache page has been archived due to the lack of a timely resolution. If the owner would like to have it reinstated, please contact me through my profile within 90 days.

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Hidden : 6/24/2012
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The Pony Express was a icon of the old west history.  Visit the the Cotton Wood Station Pony Express Station and experience the history.

Two miles east of Hanover on SR243, Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site is the only unaltered Pony Express station remaining in its original location. This most westerly Pony Express station in Kansas, 123 miles west from St. Joseph, was also called Cottonwood Station because of its proximity to Cottonwood Creek. Description: C:\Users\Larry\Documents\GPS\Cottonwood Pony Express Station\Pony Express 001.JPG

Past this site ran the Oregon-California Trail, which was also the road to Fort Kearney, Nebraska. It was one of the most traveled routes to the West. It was here that Gerat H. Hollenberg erected a building in 1857 or 1858 believed to be the first house built in the county. It became his family home, a neighborhood store, a tavern, a stage station for the Overland Express, and in 1860 a station for the Pony Express.

The station was a long, frame structure with six rooms on the ground floor. In one of them Hollenberg kept a small stack of groceries and dry goods and operated as an unofficial post office. Another room served as a bar and tavern. The rest of the rooms were used for family living. Upstairs a loft ran the length of the building where stagecoach and Pony Express employees had a common sleeping room. Nearby was a large stable where fresh mounts were kept for the riders.

Description: C:\Users\Larry\Documents\GPS\Cottonwood Pony Express Station\Pony Express 004.JPGThe Welcome Center is open April through September, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm. The cache is only available during these hours. (Hint-Hint) The Station is a true historic gem and well worth the side trip to visit. Don’t miss this glimpse of the old west history.

You are seeking an ammo can that has room for travel bugs and swag.

This cache has been place with permission from Kansas Historical Society. For more information:

http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/hollenberg-pony-express-station/11837

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nfx gur qbprag

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)