This cache is with the 2015 CCGT Forgotten Clearfield County Geotrail. Use your CCGT passport to collect 25 codes found within each cache to redeem for your 2015 CCGT geocoin. In addition, if you have completed all five (5) years of the CCGT and you have your passport validated, a special trackable geocoin will be available in June. Visit www.visitclearfieldcounty.org/outdoors/geotrail for more information about the Clearfield County Geotrail, passports, geocoins and previous geotrails that are still open.
Clearfield County is full of old and historical locations, buildings, and remnants of by gone eras. Come and cache Clearfield County to learn about it's rich history through ghost towns, abandoned cemeteries Civil War uprising and it's rich Native American presence.
Helping to create this years trail has been a wonderful experience. I have learned so much about the past of my home area, and met many people that willlingly shared valuable information about our history.
So you head out and to tackle the trail (and I hopefully everyone reads the discriptions) and maybe you learn something that lights a fire that makes you want to learn more. Well I would like you to consider the local historical societies as great resources. Our committee had met at the Cleafield Historical Society to do some research over the winter. The material we got gave us all a direction to go and search for places that would provide the cachers great discoveries.
This cache is hidden at the Curwensville-Pike Township Historical Society. It is also known as the Korb House. It is named after the family that donated the house to establish the local historical society. The only history on the Korb house is that the original owner, a Mr. Caldwell, was a contractor for the #2 Czar of Curwensville, the Ivrin family. John Ivin lived across the street in the beautiful house now that is now a funeral home. Mr. Caldwell had some beautiful wood in his house thanks to leftovers from working on the Irvin home.
So a little history on the Irvins. William Irvin purchased 330 acres in 1811 and relocated from Centre County shorty thereafter. The first thing Mr. Irvin did was build what is considered the first dam across the West Branch of the Susquehanna river (can be seen at Irvin Park). This dam provided water power to run his saw mill. William also started a merchantile and distillery outside of town. Williams son John ran the day to day businesses for his father. In 1830ish his father gave the businesses to John and one of Johns brothers. William eventually bought his brothers share of the business.
John enlisted in Company B, one hundered and forty ninth Pennsylvanians Volunteers. He was elected captain. He served the company continuously and was promoted to major on March 23, 1863. At Gettysburg he was wounded by a bursting shell and taken to the hospital. While there the Confederates captured the hospital. Eventually the Confederates evacuated and left the prisoners behind unharmed. Major Irvin was then promoted to lieutenat Colonel in February, 1864, and then Colonel in April, 1865. He served until he was mustered on August 6, 1865.
It is said he was a good commanding officer, that his bravery was undoubted, he never flinched in time of danger, and that he never ordered his command to any position in which he was not willing to lead them.
