The settlement of Ocean Park began in the 1870s as a place where people could live and vacation free of influences of saloons, alcohol and other "unsavory" activities -- where they could spend their free time at camp meetings, revivals, and church suppers. The area quickly grew into an area popular with fundamentalist Christians, and included a Bible camp, a Church camp and many churches of various denominations.
While modern-day Ocean Park includes the usual "worldly pleasures" that its founders worked to remove, it still retains much of its early heritage.
The cache is not at the posted coordinates, but it is a good place to begin your tour. You may visit the virtual waypoints in any order, but following them as listed will take you on a loop with very little back tracking. The information can be found for each location by observing from the street. Do not enter the private yards or disturb the residents. This is not intended to be a tricky puzzle to solve or a hard cache to find -- it's intended to be a fun introduction to some of the old heritage buildings of Ocean Park with interesting history. Once you have correctly answered the eight questions below, you will have the coordinates to direct you to the cache.
North 46 2A.BCD West 124 0E.FGH
NORTH COORDINATES
A. The Wreckage: Built in 1912, entirely from salvaged beach logs, this rustic home was built in the style of a military block house. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, which is commemorated by a bronze plaque on the front lawn of the home. Further interesting details are available on the plaque!
Who was the governor of the State of Washington in 1979?
Dan Evans = 8
Dixy Lee Ray = 9
John Spellman = 0
B. The Meeting Tree: The Methodist Church played a major part in the original establishment of the town of Ocean Park. The group incorporated as the Ocean Park Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church, platting the camp into 50 by 100 foot plots which were leased to members for their use. The tree you see here was selected as a landmark for members of the Association and their families to get together for church functions and social activities.
What year is noted on the engraved plaque on the tree?
1873 =6
1897 = 3
1883 = 4
C. King's Haven: This home was built in 1909 by the owner of the local hardware store in Ocean Park, using solid brass hardware throughout his new house. The home was sold to the King family in 1928, who later on installed a porthole from the shipwreck of the Strathblane in the front door.
What construction material is used for the siding of the second story above the front porch?
Wood shingles = 9
Stucco = 5
Bricks = 6
D. The Haseltine Cottage: This tiny cottage, set well back from the road, is one of the oldest buildings in Ocean Park. It was built in 1884 for a Portland businessman, James Haseltine, who helped found Ocean Park. The small-attached garage indicates it was built in a time when cars were narrow and garages were a new concept.
What is the nature of the business next door to the east of the Haseltine Cottage?
The Eagles Lodge = 2
Bloomer Estates Vacation Rentals = 8
Doc's Tavern = 0
WEST COORDINATES
E. United Methodist Church: Dedication of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Ocean Park on August 9, 1914 marked a momentous and exciting event. It started in the 1880’s with the first camp meetings being held outside and later under tents. Finally, the church moved to its permanent home where it still stands.
How many separate entrances are on the front side of the church (262nd Place)?
One = 3
Two = 1
Three = 2
F. The Lamberson Cottage: Built in 1883, this is the oldest structure in Ocean Park and is still owned by descendants of the original Lamberson family.
What is the siding material on the home?
Wood shingles = 8
Grooved plywood sheets = 1
Bricks = 3
G. The Taylor Hotel: This proud old building has housed not only tourists but also shipwrecked sailors. The Taylors were very much a part of early Peninsula history. William came here in 1876 and drove the stagecoach from Ilwaco to Oysterville, later becoming the county sheriff. The hotel was constructed around 1887 and it operated until 1940.
What does the yellow and white sign above the door on the south side of the building say?
Taylor Hotel= 9
Adelaide's = 7
For Sale = 4
H. The Loomis House: Last on the tour before the final cache location, this home features a mural of the Tokeland Oyster Station, one of many that existed throughout Willapa Bay. These stations were buildings constructed on pilings out over the water where oysterman's families lived and worked. The Loomis house was built in 1908 by one of the local pioneer families, for whom Loomis Lake State Park is also named.
In the shared parking lot with the pink building next door, what is the posted price for a cup of coffee?
One dollar = 0
Twenty five cents = 3
A dime = 9
Once you have correctly answered these eight simple questions, you will have the coordinates to direct you to the cache. The final cache has been placed on the west side of the building with permission from the property owners and tenants. Please be respectful and avoid blocking customer traffic. Be sure that the contents of the cache container are secure inside before closing it up.