Icon of Athens, Georgia - Virtual Reward
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In Athens, it's hard to imagine this city without the University of Georgia and it's hard to imagine the University of Georgia without the city of Athens, but which came first? What's the story behind this featured arch welcoming all to the historic north campus of UGA? Oh! ...and before you walk underneath it... you might want to read a little more of the history of superstitions and traditions that all UGA students seem to know...
Upon your arrival at these coordinates you may notice the University of Georgia historical plaque that informs how the charter was the first granted for a state run university in 1785. Athens did not officially become a town until 1806 after former governor, John Milledge, named the surrounding area to the University after the city, Athens, Greece, that was the home to great thinkers, Plato and Aristotle. You may also notice that the symbol on this historical plaque looks similar to the black cast iron arch itself. This 160 year old arch is designed to look like the Georgia state seal which features three pillars - wisdom, justice, and moderation.
Now for a little history on the Arch itself...
"For such an iconic symbol, the Arch’s origins are remarkably unassuming. Ironworkers at the Athens Foundry, which produced ironworks across the city and the campus, probably forged the Arch in 1857 when an iron gate was erected to separate Broad Street and the north end of the university. At the time, cattle roaming the dirt road that is now Broad Street were grazing on the North Campus lawn. Functionally speaking, this 16-foot, roughly 5,700-pound monument first acted as a gateway for the fence, with two doors connecting the columns. In fact, it was referred to as “the gate” rather than “the Arch” until the early 20th century.
The pillars at the Arch’s base were apparently made from the iron light poles erected elsewhere in the city, and the arch over them was made from boiler retention rings. The wreath detailing that adorns the Arch has a striking resemblance to embellishments on the Lucy Cobb House porch in Athens. In short, the Arch was fashioned from existing pieces, rather than being made from scratch.
Over time, the Arch has become synonymous with the university itself. Though it is nearly 70 years younger than the university’s charter, the Arch’s endurance through time mirrors the university’s enduring motto “to teach, to serve and to inquire into the nature of things.” -- Special thanks to Steven Brown and Janine Duncan for providing historical perspective on the Arch. Reference site - www.uga.edu"
Do you notice that some UGA students walk AROUND the Arch? Here's why you might see this...
"The tradition of the University of Georgia Arch dates back to a single student’s decision in 1905. As a freshman, Daniel H. Redfearn was reportedly “so moved by the symbolic meaning of the Arch that he vowed to never pass through it until he had his diploma in hand,” said Steve Armour, a University Archivist of the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
However, according to Darby Miller, a senior marketing major from Arkansas and tour leader of the visitors center, walking around the Arch at that time wasn’t as easy as it is today. “The fence on north campus actually used to go up to the Arch so not only was he walking around it, he was hopping over the fence,” Miller said.
Redfearn’s vow didn’t mean much until he shared it with his English professor, Robert E. Park. Park, who would later become the namesake of Park Hall, shared Redfearn’s plan with his other students, who then chose to abide by the vow as well. Thus, the tradition was born.
The tradition has been preserved since Redfearn’s time at UGA and still prevails on campus today. The myths of why students should not to walk under the Arch before graduation range from going bald to never marrying to being infertile. The most well-known myth, however, coincides with Redfearn’s century-old vow. According to this idea, walking under the Arch prior to graduation will keep students from graduating on time or at all." - taken from "The Arch Tradition Explained", UGA News, The Red&Black
Now that you know a little more about this "Icon of Athens, Georgia," let's get that virtual smiley!
All you need to do is take your picture with the Arch! Simple as that! This will show us that you made the visit required. You may send it in a message to us or attach it to your "Found It" log. Then claim your virtual smiley!
We hope you enjoy your visit to Athens and...Go Dawgs!
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.
Congratulations to KalahariFox and Lizzybeth13 on your FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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