The first generation of wormhole caches were published in 2010, the series started with three caches. Fast forward to now, and a tradition continues to carry on. We hope you enjoy this April Fool’s Day prank!
The final to this puzzle is not at the posted coordinates.
Located north of Detroit, Hazel Park, Michigan was incorporated as a city in 1941 and bills itself as The Friendly City. Hazel Park is named after the abundant hazelnut bushes native to the area.
This area was long occupied by indigenous peoples, with such historic and current tribes as the Potawatomi and others known to European fur traders and colonists from the 17th century. In the late 19th century, it was settled by European Americans for farming, and had its greatest boon by the expansion of jobs at the Ford Motor Company in Highland Park and the need for housing after WWII. Hazel Park is also known for the popular Hazel Park Raceway that existed on the corner of 10 Mile and John R from 1949-2018.
Interesting facts for local geocachers
“In 1942, the Elias Brothers, John, Fred, and Louis Elias, established a diner in Hazel Park. The Dixie Drive-In was one of the first in the Midwest to offer curbside services. In 1952, the diner was franchised as a Big Boy restaurant. Louis Elias was elected as Mayor of Hazel Park, serving two terms from 1953 to 1961. The Elias brothers continued to open Big Boy restaurants throughout the Metro Detroit area and in 1983 purchased the franchiser.” [Wikipedia]
“Robert Wyland, known for his mural paintings of whales and dolphins, attended Hoover Elementary School, which has a Wyland mural in its library.” Internationally, he’s, also, known for the gorgeous “frolicking whales” mural in downtown Detroit, which is visible from Comerica Park!
Notable Sports Figures
For a city of 2.82 square miles, Hazel Park has produced many well-known sports figures.
- Connor Barwin, NFL defensive end; born in Southfield and grew up in Hazel Park
- Steve Fraser, 1984 Olympic wrestling gold medalist, coached at the University of Michigan
- Myles Jury, UFC featherweight contender
- Shane Morris, quarterback for Warren De La Salle and the University of Michigan
- Joe Roa, MLB pitcher for Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins
- Terry Thomas, graduate of Hazel Park High School, drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1975
- Bill Virdon, MLB outfielder and manager for several teams; 1955 National League Rookie of the Year and 1960 World Series champion; born in Hazel Park
The best-known sports figure out of Hazel Park is the 1990 Cy Young Award Winner, Bob Welch.
Bob Welch was a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics. He was a National League and American League All-Star, pitching coach for Arizona Diamondbacks, winner of two Worlds Series rings, and a 1974 graduate of Hazel Park High School. Bob Welch was 57 years old when he passed away in 2014.
WOW! Thought of as the best-known moment of his extraordinary career, a rookie Welch struck out "Mr October" himself, Reggie Jackson, with two on and two out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 1978 World Series.
In honor of this local-star-made-good, Hazel Park created the Bob Welch Athletic Field, located at the posted coordinates.