80 For the Chief - Ivoryton
Our geocaching family consists of the matriarch, Grandma Ethel, and two of her sons, JCoke24 and Sought & Found. We have been known to take other members of the family on geocaching runs, but the rest of the family has not been quite as involved as us. The patriarch comes along on occasion, and is often helpful with finding caches. We have nicknamed him Eagle Eye John, and have mentioned him in a number of "Found It" logs. The "Chief" part of the cache name is because he was Chief of Essex Fire Engine Company #1 in Essex, CT. It is the oldest volunteer fire department in Connecticut, and it began in 1833.
The first “80 for the chief” cache was placed near John’s winter home in Florida. We decided that we should also place caches in Essex, where he was chief, before he reaches his 81st birthday. Thank you for your service to our community, Chief!
Until 1937, Comstock & Cheney’s factory had trained and equipped their own fire department which answered fire calls in the Ivoryton area. When they closed their factory, that area of Essex was left without fire protection. Essex Fire Engine Company #1 purchased property and built House #2 on Summitt Street in Ivoryton. This building is still in use and the cache is hidden near that location.
Good luck and enjoy.
80 For the Chief: The first cache was hidden near their winter home in Florida.
80 For the Chief - Ivoryton: Hidden near the Ivoryton firestation.
80 For the Chief - Essex: Hidden near the Essex firestation.
Congratulations to __KariCorie_ who sought and was FTF 80 For the Chief - Ivoryton!
Addendum. Signal 80 for fire departments in the Valley Shore area of Connecticut means, "Off the Air." Chief John passed away on March 4, 2022 at which time he gave his final Signal 80.