This cache is a part of a series to recognize Lincoln Parks young and old, well known and hidden.
Welcome to Wilderness Park! 1,472 acres of Wetland, Tallgrass Prairie, Woodland Habitat's and conservation area with more than 30 miles of multi-use trails throughout. Equestrian users always have the right of way.Cyclist yield to all others. Pedestrians stay aware. Leave no trace but practie some CITO if you can! This whole area is a floodplain so try not to use muddy trails to prevent erosion. This magnificent park has eight main trailheads. This cache is located closest to the second Trailhead, Epworth Lake TH2.
Epworth Lake TH2
Epworth Lake Park was established in 1903. Every year the Nebraska Epworth League of the Methodist Church would hold outdoor events which drew several thousand spectators and participants including Theodore Roosevelt, Howard Taft, and Brooker T. Washington. These annual shows displayed performers like Enrico Caruso, aswell as magicians, fireworks, the U. S. Army Band, even Swiss bell ringers. These shows became so popular that as many as 25 street cars would line up to transport the spectators back to Lincoln afterwards. At the peak of Epworth Lake's popularity there was a 150-room hotel, 500 cabins and tents for rent, a 60 bed dormitory, four resturaunts, a post office, a bakery, a gorocery store, and a bookstore! The crowning glory was the man-made Epworth Lake that surrounded Oxford Isle that supported an impressive cabin.
In 1935, most of the structures around Epworth Lake were destroyed by heavy flooding of the Salt Creek, specifically 14 inches of rain. In 1940, they tried to rebuild but failed. Arnott R. Folsom bought the old Epworth Lake site in 1943. Upon his death he deeded it to the City of Lincoln in 1970, with intention to be used as an addtion to Wilderness Park.
Please handle with care and replace as found or better!
Enjoy the park and happy caching!