Rochester is changing. Every day, work is being done to transform downtown into a modern version of what it once was...a thriving city that's not only a place to work for some but an entertainment destination for others. In addition, the past few years have seen many people take up residence in the city and now call downtown Rochester their home.
Even with this forward progress, the city strives to preserve its historical roots. A quick look around and you'll see multiple examples of classic 1800s architecture and reminders of famous former citizens such as Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas. Some of what they both fought for, among other aspects of the city's past, are featured here...at Liberty Pole Plaza. The Plaza has been updated and revitalized, but the history it holds and the purpose it serves remain intact.
I couldn't have been more honored to have been selected as a recipient of one of these special Virtual caches! I hope you enjoy this unique Rochester location and find the information here interesting. Thanks for visiting!
What you need to do to claim this virtual as found:
1) Email or message me the answers to these questions (Please do NOT put the answers in your online log!):
a) The posted coordinates will take you to a "three headed" object. What is the object and what do each of the "heads" stand for?
b) Find the three plaques that are very close by (temporarily located in the Northeast corner of the very large, boomerang shaped flower/shrub planter) to answer the following:
- "The Liberty Pole" has served as _____ and _____. (Fill in the blanks.) When did the first pole appear at this site?
- "Rochester's Early Banks": In the second paragraph, which bank is mentioned first and who was its president?
- "Mass Transportation": By the turn of the century, how many Rochesterians transferred at the corner of Main and Clinton and what was their mode of transportation at that time?
c) There is another plaque (currently located in the Southwest corner of the same large planter) briefly describing the life of one of the two famous citizens I mentioned in the second paragraph above. Who is featured on this plaque and when did that person first arrive in Rochester?
2) Along with your online log, post a picture of yourself/your group (or at least a simple "thumbs up" if you don't feel very photogenic at the moment) along with some portion of the Liberty Pole. (Please do NOT include a picture of the individual plaques or the "three headed" object, though!) Your photo can be taken from any angle or direction and incorporate as much or as little of the Liberty Pole and surrounding area as you want as long as a piece of the Liberty Pole is included. Be creative and have fun with it! I think it would be interesting to see (and document photographically) how this corner changes as time rolls on.
(NOTE: Please remember to post your photo and send the answers to all the questions!)
Additional Fun Things to Do (NOT mandatory for this cache):
Across Main Street you'll see Bank of America. There is a plaque in the cement close to the street that mentions one of the bank’s early predecessors if you're interested in reading it.
The empty lot across Main Street is the former site of Midtown Plaza (now referred to by the locals as "Parcel 5") which was the first urban indoor mall in the United States. There are a few videos of Midtown on YouTube that are neat to watch if you're inclined to do so.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.