The Henderson Monument is dedicated to the memory of David Henderson, who lost his life at that spot. Henderson Lake is nearby. David Henderson was manager and one of the principals of the Adirondack Iron Works. Henderson was a man with many talents who was well liked for his congeniality and leadership. His pottery business in Jersey City, which he continued to even while associated with the mine, was considered to produce some of the best pottery in America. He was an artist, entrepreneur, salesman, writer, beloved father, and he loved to play the fiddle. He was constantly trying to improve the mine's product and productivity. He loved his family and, ironically, disliked firearms.
On September 3. 1845, Henderson was scouting water opportunities with his son and a guide, John Cheney. They saw some ducks at a small pond and Henderson handed his pistol to Cheney to shoot the birds, but John didn't get a shot off. Cheney returned the loaded and cocked firearm to Henderson, who put it in his backpack and set the pack on a rock. The gun went off, fatally wounding Henderson. This calamity lead to the name of Calamity Mountain, Calamity Pond, and Calamity Brook. The monument erected by his children about 1850 in Henderson's honor reads: THIS MONUMENT, ERECTED BY FILIAL AFFECTION TO THE MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FATHER, DAVID HENDERSON, WHO ACCIDENTALLY LOST HIS LIFE ON THIS SPOT, 3RD SEPTEMBER, 1845
The parking coordinates provided are from the Upper Works trailhead, the parking area closest to the monument. Upper Works was an area very familiar to David Henderson as it is one of the places iron from Adirondack Iron Works was brought. There are still a few abandoned structures from the mining town near the parking lot and several informational signs explaining the mining operations. The walk to the Henderson monument is just a little over 4 miles one way. There are well maintained trails which can be muddy at times but not much elevation change between the parking area and the monument. The route is a bit rugged with stream crossings, rocks, and roots as is typical of trails in the High Peaks.
To log this cache as found please post a photo along with your log. The photo should include you or your geocaching name and the memorial monument.
This virtual geocache has been established with special permission of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Forester. If DEC see areas that are being impacted they may ask the geocache be archived.
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.