These caches are on some of the rural roads of Pike County. Enjoy the less traveled roads and see some unusual, interesting and historic places.
This cache has been placed at a marker pertaining to the first aircraft flight across the United States.
In October 1910, publisher William Randolph Hearst offered a prize of $50,000 to the first aviator to cross the United States in an airplane in under 30 days. This challenge was taken up by early aviation pioneer Cal Rodgers who had learned to fly at the Wright Brothers Flying School in Dayton, Ohio. He purchased an experimental biplane powered by a four-cylinder, thirty-five horsepower engine from the Wright Brothers shop for the trip.
With no airports along the way and no navigation aids to guide the pilot Rodgers would have to follow railroad tracks and have a ground crew in a train follow him. Because this venture would be expensive Rodgers needed a sponsor. The Armour Company in Chicago was eager to advertise a new grape flavored, five-cents-a-bottle soft drink called Vin Fiz. Armour agreed to cover the costs and pay Rodgers five dollars for every mile he flew if the plane would carry the Vin Fiz advertising.
Rodgers left Long Island, New York, on September 17, 1911 and after a successful first day, he predicted he would arrive in Chicago within four days. But accidents, equipment failures, and weather problems caused numerous delays. Although it soon became apparent that he would never meet the deadline of thirty days, Rodgers was determined to finish the flight.
After twenty-seven days on October 8th to he reached Chicago Illinois Grant Park. After stops in Joliet, Peoria, and Springfield Rodgers and the Vin Fiz headed west. The last Illinois stop was at Nebo on October 10th. The appearance of an airplane, which most people in the county had never seen brought great excitement to the village.
On November 5, 1911, forty-nine days after leaving Long Island and having made sixty eight landings and fifteen crashes Rodgers arrived in Pasadena California missing Hearst's deadline by 19 days.
In honor of the historic occasion of the landing in Nebo Pike County has renamed the main road running from Pearl to Pleasant Hill and through Nebo the Vin Fiz Highway and celebrates the Vin Fiz landing with an annual festival in August.
You are searching for a magnetic Bison Tube container.
Bring a writing instrument to sign the log – this cache has a small log sheet so sign with date and name only.
Bugs, Insects, Critters, Snakes or Poisonous Plants could be present. Search accordingly.
Access to this cache is by a single-track gravel road. Use some discretion when leaving the main roadway if the ground is wet.