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Crazy About Caching Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

-allenite-: As there has been no response from owner regarding my previous note, I'm archiving this cache. Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.

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Hidden : 1/1/2003
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is in a small tupperware type container. The land area around this cache was once an insane asylum. Asylum Lake is very close by.

Asylum Lake Preserve is a 274-acre parcel of land that is owned by Western Michigan University. The land is preserved as a passive-use recreation area under an agreement between the City of Kalamazoo and WMU. Asylum Lake's preservation was ensured as a condition of the development of the Engineering College on Parkview Avenue. The property serves as a research area for several professors and students of biology, geography, and hydrogeology. The Asylum Lake property was first owned by Enoch and Deborah Harris, the first black residents to the Kalamazoo area. They arrived in 1830 from Marion County, Ohio. The Harris family was known to have participated in the Underground Railroad in the twenty years prior to the Civil War. The family eventually sold the land in various portions to other farmers in the region. In an 1873 atlas of the county, the lake was listed as "McMartin Lake" probably because the property was owned by Daniel and Jane McMartin. The Michigan Asylum for the Insane purchased the land from the McMartin family in June of 1887. It was to be used as a colony farm and recreation experiment. Five cottages, a central heating plant, two garages, a pump house, and tunnels connecting them served and housed patients between 1888 and 1947. After WWII, its use was phased out and finally ceased in 1969. All of the structures except for the pumphouse were demolished in 1971. In 1975, ownership of the land was transferred to WMU through a Michigan House bill sponsored by representatives Jack Welborn, Donald Gilmer, and Mary Brown.



There are at least 4 obvious entrances to this area. Some may seem further away, but they might be an easier hike.
One entrance is on Winchell, 1 on Parkview, and 2 on Drake, any one of these entrances will take you to the cache.

This is my 4th cache hidden so far. The name pretty much sums up the way I feel about Geocaching! This should be an easy find, even if its your first time out. Please use caution as to not give away the cache location to any passers by.


We are starting this cache out with the usual asortment of items, plus a 'Wheres George" dollar, and Bob the Geoturtle travel bug.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ubyybj ybt

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)