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Putting Pierce Back on the Map - Shanghai Redux Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

lil2busy: Time to archive my caches. I have not been active since COVID so it is time.

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Hidden : 9/11/2015
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Fourth in a series that I plan to introduce geocachers to small towns in Texas that do not have any active caches.  I will be looking for interesting locations to bring to your attention. Pierce is an unincorporated community in Wharton County.  The town is named for Abel Head "Shanghai" Pierce an influential cattleman.  According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 49 in 2000. 

This cache location has a historical marker and was where I found one of my first caches back in 2013.  I remembered that it was the first cache hidden in Wharton County and I was sad to see that it had been archived earlier this year.  I have taken the original cache description below to honor the original cache which  was hidden on 07/31/04.  The cache is tucked in at the same general area as the original cache.

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Here, in the 1890s, the celebrated Texas Cattleman A. H. "Shanghai" Pierce (1834-1900) platted the townsite of Pierce. "Shanghai" had hopes of it becoming the county seat. In 1894 he had 160 acres surveyed to become the Pierce Townsite. He built and named the streets, laid out a public square, courthouse square, academy square and a cemetery ground. A church was built and a two-story grocery store. He then decided to build a grand hotel, which would accommodate cattle buyers, traveling salesmen, etc. The spectacular structure, with open porches on two sides of both the first and second floors, would be a convenient stopover between Victoria and Houston. It was a three-story, 22-room mansion built in Steamboat Gothic style. The widow's walk on top provided a panoramic view of the whole countryside.The town of Pierce did not develop as "Shanghai" hoped it would. The magnificent hotel saw few, if any, overnight guests. Over the years the building gradually deteriorated and was demolished in 1980. The New England styled widow's walk and some of the railings have been restored on the original site . The town of Pierce may not have become the seat of Wharton county, but it did become the home of the first geocache in Wharton County.While you are in Pierce you may want to check out the " Country Club" and the old Pierce ranch house.

:) Congratulations to randomwampole for FTF :)

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