Welcome to Ferris State University’s Official Historical Geotrail of 2020! Brought to you by the Geocaching Subcommittee of the Ferris History Task Force. This trail will take you around the Ferris campus and properties as well as various locations within Big Rapids. All geocaches are created to honor the Ferris legacy and help to educate the general public in a new and exciting way.
In two rented rooms on what then was called the Vandersluis Block on the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Elm Street, Ferris opened his school in September, 1884. First he called it the Big Rapids Industrial School, but soon named it the Ferris Industrial School with emphasis on the word industrial. For nearly 20 years it was known merely as "The Industrial."
[Puzzle]
This geocache is not located at the listed coordinates! The cache is a two stage multi with a field puzzle.
There are 2 signs nearby with information to answer the following questions to find the coordinates for the final.
The final can be found at:
N 43° 42.1AB' W 85° 29.6XY'
- A = The last digit of the year on the plaque plus three.
- B = First digit of the year on the plaque.
- X = Add the first and last digits of the year the location became Citizens State Bank together.
- Y = The last digit of the year the bank was "modernized" minus one.
Check Sum: A + B + X + Y = 15
[Parking]
Visitors/Guest Permits
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Parents, relatives and visitors who visit campus must obtain a visitor’s permit from the online guest permit portal or visit the Department of Public Safety. Permits will be issued for designated areas and times. Permits are free of charge.
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Faculty, staff and students are not considered visitors or guests of the University.
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The state motor vehicle registration certificate must be presented upon registering for a parking permit.
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Visitor parking will be allowed in residence hall lots on Friday, starting at 5 p.m., through Monday, until 2 a.m.
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Guests/visitors of campus during the summertime do not need a guest permit. Summer start up and end varies per year.
Meters are also on campus for use. They take various coins.
[Regarding Destruction of Property]
It is expected that visitors to our geocaches will conduct themselves with respect to the property they visit and will not destroy, harm, remove property or litter while geocaching. Such acts will result in monetary fines and potential for further prosecution. Players discovered in this way will also face disqualification from receiving the pathtag prize.
Download GeoTrail Tour Ticket Here.