The first coordinates for this cache are:
46 42.411
092 02.806
From this point you are at the top of an overlook where you can see across to Minnesota Point. Directly across the water is a small beach. This is where George Stuntz, the area’s first white settler, originally built a cabin in 1853 and a year later built a dock. Because of the shallow harbor depths of the near side of the channel, boats navigating into the harbor would anchor just off of Stuntz’s dock and row their cargoes across to the Quebec Merchandise Pier. The Quebec Merchandise Pier was located just below your location here and operated from 1854 to 1891. Also in the vicinity are the remains of the two-masted schooner Algonquin, which wrecked at the pier in 1855.
Solve the puzzle to decipher the coordinates to the next location:
You are currently in the parking lot of which restaurant?
_ _ _ o _ _ _ d’ _
123 456 7
46 NC.S08
092 0D.C0L
The harbor was not surveyed until 1861, a process that led to dredging and developing the area into the busy port that Superior is today. Although there are many signs at this location, locate the concrete and bronze plaque placed by the Army Corps of Engineers with the history of harbor improvements to get information leading you to the final coordinates.
Depth of the harbor in 1873 + Depth of the harbor in 1962 = FG
46 4F.17G
092 0F.42G
This cache was placed as a partnership between Wisconsin Historical Society, Superior Public Museums, University of Wisconsin-Superior Jim Dan Hill Library- Lake Superior Maritime Collection, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, and University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute. Approval has been obtained from all landowners for placement of this cache. We hope you enjoyed learning about the evolution of the Port of Superior. To learn more about Wisconsin’s maritime heritage please visit our other geocaches in the Superior area and across the state, or visit wisconsinshipwrecks.org and maritimetrails.org!