One of the most enjoyable aspects of geocaching is that it takes geocachers to interesting places they might not otherwise have known about or have taken time to visit. This is one such place.
Folsom State Prison: Below are a few interesting facts about the prison.
Opened in 1880, Folsom is the state's second-oldest prison, after San Quentin, and the first in the United States to have electricity. Folsom was also one of the first maximum security prisons, and has been the execution location of 93 condemned prisoners. Both Folsom State Prison and California State Prison, Sacramento share the mailing address: Represa, CA 95671. Represa (translated as "dam" from the Spanish language) is the name given in 1892 to the State Prison post office because of its proximity to a dam on the American River that was under construction at the time. Folsom State Prison is California's second-oldest prison, long known for its harsh conditions in the decades following the California Gold Rush. Although Folsom State Prison now houses primarily medium security prisoners, it was one of America's first maximum-security prisons. Folsom State Prison was the first prison in the world to have electric power, which was provided by the first hydroelectric powerhouse in California. After the state of California took sole control of the death penalty in 1891, executions were held at Folsom and San Quentin. A total of 93 prisoners were hanged at Folsom State Prison between December 13, 1895, and December 3, 1937. Folsom State Prison's industries include metal fabrication and a print shop, and the quarry at the prison provided granite for the foundation of the state capitol building and much of the gravel used in the early construction of California's roads. Additionally, California's vehicle license plates have been manufactured at the prison since the 1930s.
The Folsom Museum is located about 125 feet from gz and not far from the entrance of Folsom Prison. Run solely through the support of volunteers, the museum contains an abundance of documents and artifacts from throughout Folsom's long and colorful history. The museum is very interesting and informative. You DO NOT need to go inside the museum to claim a find for this cache. If you choose to visit, here is information. Folsom Prison Museum: Open Daily 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. (Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). Admission $2 | Under 12 Free.
Note: Due to Covid-19 the museum is temporarily closed. I will up date this page when they open.
PLEASE NOTE:
You DO NOT need to pass the guards to log a find. However, the area is open to the public and worth seeing. If asked, let the guards know you are going to take pictures and/or going to the museum.
You can take pictures of the Folsom Prison Towers/Entrance etc, but you may NOT go any farther than the next (north) crosswalk/stop sign; "Picture Spot" sign; large rock. Please pay attention to the signage.
Logging Requirements: Your choice: Option 1 or Option 2.
Option 1: GZ will take you to a statue and a plaque. Email me (Not in messenger) the answers to the following questions. 1) What is the title of the statue (In all capital letters)? 2) Who made the statue? 3) When was it moved to its present location?
Option 2: Take a photograph of yourself (or your team), include the large brick Folsom State Prison Tower in the background (tower at the entrance) and upload it with your online log. This can be done outside the prison entrance (see hint).
Per HQ guidelines "a face is not required in the photo" If you don't want to include your face, take a photo of your hand holding your GPS or another personal object such as keys, trackable, hat, backpack, or purse....etc. The intent is to make your photo distinctive.
All logs failing to meet these requirements will be deleted.
Permission for this cache was given by: Lt.Valencia: Public Information Officer.
Congratulations to GB's for FTF!
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.