The area surrounding this cache is what used to be Picher, OK, a major lead and zinc mining town. It was incorporated in 1918, and in 1926 at its peak, had a population of 14,252 residents. Between 1917 and 1947 the Picher area produced over $20 Billion dollars worth of ore. (More than 50% of the lead and zinc produced during WW1 came from Picher.) Mining stopped in 1967 and contaminated water resulted from mine shafts, large piles of tailings that can be seen throughout the area, mill sand, and sludge. A 1996 study showed that 34% of the children in Picher had lead poisoning. Signs were put up in the area that said “Don’t put lead in your head” and had pictures of a child holding a glass of water. Eventually the town was evacuated and bought out and ceased operations in 2009, and the residents were given help from the government to move elsewhere. The school district and post office closed that year as well. Picher is one of only a few places in the world that was evacuated and abandoned due to health concerns from the effects of mining.
The only citizen who refused to leave or close his business was Gary Linderman, who was featured in People magazine for keeping his Ole Miners Pharmacy open and running for those who chose to stay. In the census of 2010, there were 20 residents living in Picher, and most of the buildings have been torn down.
Picher was featured in a PBS documentary called The Creek Runs Red, another film called Tar Creek, an episode of Life After People on the History Channel and an episode of Storm Stories on the Weather Channel.
This cache is placed with permission from the business owner whom you may recognize from this description, and he would be happy if you go in and say “Hi” after you find the cache and they might give you a souvenir to take home! The information came from various websites and a visit to the town. The cache was placed in order to bring awareness of the history of this little place. Congratulations to chicole12 for being the FTF! Thanks for getting the recognition for this location started!
CONGRATULATIONS to chicole12 for being the FTF!