Join us for an extraordinary adventure on the Happy Valley PA GeoTour! Prepare to explore breathtaking vistas, stunning local and state parks, and captivating historical sites as we guide you through an unforgettable geocaching experience. Our dedicated team of volunteers has carefully curated cache types to keep the tour both interesting and challenging, ensuring an exciting journey for all participants. Prepare to embark on a quest that will challenge your skills, ignite your curiosity, and leave you with a profound appreciation for the wonders of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Happy Valley, uncover hidden treasures, and delve into the region's fascinating history. So grab your geocaching gear, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime. Happy caching!
Download your “Happy Valley PA GeoTour” passport and/or your Jr. Geocaching Passport.
The “Happy Valley PA GeoTour is brought to you by Centre Region Parks and Recreation, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and Groundspeak, Inc. We are pleased that you’ll be joining us in Happy Valley soon! Bring on the Adventures!
“Fairbrook [1] post office is situated at the crossroads of White Hall and Gatesburg. It is the centre of a farming district which was occupied by the Meek family, a well known stock, active in this section years ago, and some of the land is still owned by the descendents. Near the M. E. church which stands at the crossroad, lives Henry Campbell, one of the sturdy yeomen of the county, an ex-commissioner, and one who has always been active in this region. He is a veteran of the late war, and lives liberally on his estate which is on the White Hall road.” This excerpt was taken from: Illingworth, Ralph W., A Passing Glance at Penn's Valley, Milton, PA: Milton Printing Co., 1896.
The crossroads mentioned above are now known as Whitehall Road and Tadpole Road, and this area remains deeply-rooted in farming. Surrounding you are farms that host milking cows, farms that raise pigs for market, and crop farming for corn and soybeans. Additionally, nearby are the agricultural test plots for Penn State researchers who monitor all types of plants. Just down the road is the location of Pennsylvania’s Ag Progress Days.
Fairbrook Park was carved from some of this farmland. From the terrain, you can see that only the top and the bottom would be ideal for farming, and even the bottom would be tough here because it gets quite wet after rain. This beautiful park hosts youth soccer and has several playgrounds and a great walking trail that surrounds the entire park. There is a pavilion in the upper section with a small playground, and there are some great benches with a view to the south/southeast of Tussey Mountain.
Enjoy your walk to this caching location. You do not need to bushwack your way to the site; stay on the trail surfaces, whether pavement or natural surface or grass, and then at the end you’ll just need to step off briefly into the woods.
The park is available year-round dawn to dusk.
This cache has been placed with permission by Centre Region Parks and Recreation, Permit #CRPR-2020-04-24.