This cache is located in Pioneer Park in downtown Crawford. The cache is placed with permission from the Town of Crawford. There are numerous houses and businesses near the cache site. It is also located adjacent to Highway 92 so use caution and watch for muggles! Here is some info about how the town came to be:
When Captain George A. Crawford travelled through the area scouting for Indians in 1882, he crossed paths with a man named Harry Grant. Crawford remarked to Grant that such a wonderful place needed a post office. Grant then started an unofficial post office. In 1883, Joel Preston submitted the application for a post office naming the town after Captain Crawford. He was to become the first post master.
The site of the original settlement of Crawford was south and down the hill from the present day location. When the Clipper Ditch was created in the 1890’s, the town was moved across the Smith Fork and up the hill. The town was officially incorporated in 1910 and Charles Stoner was the first mayor.
There was a variety of businesses that sprouted up after the settlement of the town. “The neighboring ranchmen have no longer any need to journey to the larger towns to supply their household necessities, as each branch is amply filled by enterprising business men consisting of two general mercantile stores, one drug store, one physician, one blacksmith shop, one hotel, one barber shop, city hall, meat market, planing mill and church” remarked an early resident.
B.N. Crawford & Co. was a general merchandise store. Crawford came to the area in 1901.
G.W. Hendricks also ran a general store. It was the largest general store in the whole valley. He was also a post master and Notary.
G.W. Goodwin ran the Saw, Planing and Grist Mill. He had previously operated a mill on Black Mesa but with the growth of the town, he moved is operation to Crawford. The lumber was made from native red and white spruce and pine. He also manufactured shingles and lath.
The Crawford Blacksmith Shop was ran by a Mr. Collins (no mention of his first name so it is unknown if he was relation to the CO). The shop was able to handle any work along the lines of horseshoeing, wagon and carriages.
Dr. J.H. Gainey ran the drug store. He was a graduate of the University of Kansas
After WWI, there were also quite a few cream stations. The Mutual Cream Station was ran by Leonard Busby. The Nelsea-Ricks Creamery Co. sold eggs in addition to cream.
Carl Karlen also operated a cheese factory for some time. He ran another factory in the Lazear area as well.
Becoming a booming economic hub, the Town of Crawford made the settlement of the surrounding areas a possibility. Soon Missouri Flats, the Clear Fork Settlement, Maher, Fruitland Mesa, Grandview Mesa and Crawford Mesa were being settled as well.
Today, the town is little more than a wide spot in the road. Although it is home to about 400 (not including the above mentioned surrounding areas) there is not much in the way of an economy. There is a few restaurants, a general/farm store, a bank, a gas station, a car wash/laundromat and the post office. Still the residents of the small town love the small area the most. Make sure and check out the small town and the other caches in the area.
Happy Hunting!
Congrats to OrangeJeepofPa for the FTF!!