BEST Geo-Art: B02/02
Earl Township, Berks County, PA
There is a large hill located off of Sandy Hill Road in Earl Township with a mysterious history. Shortly after the Colonists established a foothold close by, strange things started happening on the then-unnamed hill.
In sketchy early history, it was recorded that only one man braved the rocky pinnacle and built a humble cabin. He lived as a recluse and quickly gained a reputation as an evil man. Some called him a witch. Some called him a devil. And his hilltop hovel was called Devil's Hump.
Every spoiled crop, every ounce of sour milk, every sick child and every spate of foul weather was blamed on the witch of Devil's Hump. Some farmers reported large, creepy red smudges on their barns and believed them to be portents of ill fortune, placed there by the witch. Down in the hollow, farmers genuinely feared the demon. Some of them would occasionally band together and climb to what became known as Rocky Point in search of the recluse, or whatever creature was to blame for their ill fortunes.
The problem of the witch was resolved when a young educated man came from Philadelphia to visit his uncle. He single-handedly climbed to the top of the hill, took the recluse into custody, and brought him back to Philadelphia to be treated. Even though the witch was gone, the name of Devil's Hump stuck and the hill is still known by that name today.
The name of the recluse who lived atop Devil's Hump was…
A. Matthias Schambacher (N 40° 27.876 W 075° 55.742)
B. Jacob Gehret (N 40° 27.878 W 075° 55.734)
C. Michael Johnson (N 40° 27.892 W 075° 55.742)
D. Phillip Gottschall (N 40° 27.884 W 075° 55.742)
Note: Devil's Hump is located at N 40 20.139, W 75 41.095.
Note: This cache has the hunting attribute selected. Hunters wear orange, and when the time is right, and so should you. During hunting season, it is best to do this series on a Sunday. The majority of the cache containers are hidden within 10 - 20 feet from the trail. Since these caches are hidden in the woods, you will encounter things like wildlife, poison ivy, bugs, ticks, etc. That is just part of geocaching in the great outdoors. Good Luck.