BEST Geo-Art: B12/12
Lower Alsace Township, Berks County, PA
Over a hundred years ago it was a pavilion for the short lived Neversink Mountain Hotel which stood not far here overlooking the City of Reading and Mt. Penn Borough. The hotel stood for less than 15 years till it "caught" fire and burned to the ground. This whole area was once part of the fabled gravity railroad which operated to the east of Reading during that time. Over the years, the brownstone structure became known as the Witch's Hat because of its cone-shaped roof.
The view from the Witch's Hat pavilion is arguably one of the best in Berks County. From the pavilion's stone-arch windows, a view of Reading that's rarely seen opens up, looking over the city's east side through the valley to Mount Penn and the Pagoda.
The pavilion was built in 1892 in honor of this avid hiker who often stopped to rest at that spot on the mountain. A plaque affixed to one of the walls pays homage to its history.
The Witch’s Hat Pavilion was built in honor of …
A. William McIlvain (N 40° 28.068 W 075° 55.449)
B. George Bornemann (N 40° 28.068 W 075° 55.460)
C. Moses Graeff (N 40° 28.068 W 075° 55.438)
D. Samuel Klapperthal (N 40° 28.060 W 075° 55.449)
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.