This Letterbox Hybrid is part of a series of caches dedicated to the reminiscence and admiration of Roseville’s early dwellers. It is part of a series called: CACHE OUT IN ROSEVILLE.
During World War II, the work force in Roseville (plus many other cities all throughout the United States) was affected by a large percentage of men and women who went off to war. On one hand the war put the finishing touches on ending the financial depression from which America had been slowly recovering. On the other hand, it put increasing demands on the railroads to meet special needs, such as transporting perishable commodities, troops, and armaments from one part of the country to the other.
To fill this void in the labor markets here in Roseville, Southern Pacific turned to retirees, high school students, women, Native Americans, and Mexican nationals (braceros). Two dormitories were even constructed nearby to house the extra laborers needed to run the railroads as well as the nearby Pacific Fruit Express. Students at nearby Roseville High School were allowed to leave school early so that they could work a 4 pm to midnight swing shift at nearby McClellan Field. (Parents and teachers hoped the student’s grades would not suffer “too much”)
The role of this strange conglomeration of workforce cannot be minimized. Between 1941 and 1945, the Southern Pacific and Pacific Fruit Express were able to keep up with demand and boost the car line’s potential beyond its pre-war capacity. (“The Story of Roseville, California: Milestones & Memories 1850 – 2000” by Leonard M. Davis)
This Letterbox Hybrid cache pays tribute to all those mentioned above who helped out on the home front. It is called, SHE’S BEEN WORKING ON THE RAILROAD Bring your own stamp to exchange images. Start at the beginning coordinates and follow these directions:
· Since the cache was placed, the road has been blocked off so that cars can no longer go down the street. You will need to park and then walk down the block to the beginning coordinates.
· At the beginning coordinates, you will be near the end of a street with no houses, no buildings, (hopefully no muggles).
· Look to your east toward the Southern Pacific railroad yards. You should see a string of railroad cars . . . . . waiting to go somewhere.
· Continue southwest on the sidewalk until it starts to curve into a cul-de-sac formation.
· Keep walking on the sidewalk curve.
· Soon you will see a mound of cement with a square hole in the top of it. Stop.
· Now you are going to turn and head to the west over lots of tire marks in the dirt --- obviously a favorite place to drive in the mud. (Even more obvious when you see the satellite view of the area.)
· Set your sights on a tall yellow structure in the distance. (Not quite sure what this is called, let alone what it does - - - - if anyone knows, post it in your comments.) You will see a brown-slat chain link fence in front of it.
· Head in the direction of the yellow structure.
· As you get closer to the brown fence, you will see two small trees and two small shrubs to the right of the trees.
· Head up the slight hill toward the trees.
· In between the two trees there is a fake railroad tie. Letterbox hybrid cache is hidden underneath in a plastic bag.