This virtual is located at a historic stretch of the Cedar River. The coordinates will take you to Peter Melendy Park, NE of the corner of First and Main Streets in Cedar Falls. There is no vehicle parking in the park; the best option for parking is along the business section of Main Street or across the river in Gateway Park.
Here are some brief historic highlights of this section of the river. At the end of the narrative is a question about another historic reason this spot on the river was important. You will need to answer this question to claim this virtual as a find.
The park is named for Peter Melendy who is credited with helping develop Iowa State University as a land grant university. In 1863 he built the Civil War Soldier's Orphan Home, located on what is now the campus of UNI. When the orphanage was no longer needed, he was instrumental in helping convert the building and establishing the Iowa State Normal School, now known as the University of Northern Iowa.
In the center of the park is a sculpture called Gateway to the Trails. There are over 120 miles of paved trails in the Cedar Valley. Trails run along both sides of this stretch of river connecting nearby state, county, and local parks.
To the west where a motel now sits was a business best remembered as the Olde Broom Factory. It was built in the early 1860’s, first as a corn starch mill and later as the Klean Kwick Washing Machine Factory that manufactured washing machines and brooms. The building was later converted to an eating establishment. The Olde Broom Factory Restaurant was a favorite until it was demolished in 2008.
Across the river to the north is Gateway Park. In 1899 a business called the Iron and Brass Works was built at this location by Henry Olbrich . It later expanded and became the Iowa Gate Company, and later yet became Clay Equipment Company. When the factory was demolished, the area became Gateway Park.
The original name of Cedar Falls was Sturgis Falls, named after the first permanent resident William Sturgis. A celebration known as Sturgis Falls Days is held annually. The area on the north side of the river was known as Cedar City. A depot for the Illinois Central Railroad was located near the site of the current Cedar City Creamery. The depot burned down in 1997 when sparks from a passing train started a fire.
Update Summer 2024: Construction started in the Fall of 2023 to create a recreational area in this section of the river for kayaks/canoes. The river is being "landscaped" to create a water obsticle course for river enthusiasts.
THE HISTORIC INFORMATION YOU NEED TO FIND TO CLAIM THIS VIRTUAL IS LOCATED ON A SIGN NEAR THE TOP OF THE STAIRS LEADING DOWN TO THE RIVER. SEND THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION TO THE CO AND ALSO POST A PICTURE IN YOUR LOG AS EVIDENCE THAT YOU VISITED THE SITE. DO NOT SHARE ANY INFORMATION IN YOUR LOG THAT REVEALS THE ANSWER. ANY LOGS THAT DO WILL BE DELETED.
The geocaching guidelines for pictures is listed here.
Acceptable logging tasks:
- Photos of the geocacher at the location; a face cannot be required in the photo.
- Photos of a personal item at the location. Examples include a trackable or a piece of paper with the geocacher’s username.
QUESTION: IN THE EARLY 1800’S, WHY WAS THIS SPOT ALONG THE CEDAR RIVER IMPORTANT?
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.