This is located in the old quarry just East of the RR station and tunnel at Big Bend and 270. The rock from this quarry was used to build the RR station, along with some of the homes in the area. Some of the stone at Union Station and stone for the structures at the 1904 Worlds Fair in Forest Park came from this quarry. This quarry opened in 1891 has been shut down since the early 1900's and hasn't changed much since then. Bring your kids along and let them play on the huge boulders. Maybe let some of the kid in you play on the rocks.
Above is a picture of my kids at the quarry from 1973. Also attached is a picture in my younger days (1950) of a friend and myself playing there after a snow.
*** 6/5/11-The first paragraph below has been modified. ***
At the first location, there is a large wooden deck overlooking the quarry (coordinates at top of page). Originally there was a sign there where you would count the number of "DOs" and the number of "DO NOTs", but there are identical signs throughout the park.
As you walk towards the overlook and approach the the handicap parking and turn-around, you will see one of the signs just off the blacktop at N 38° 33.983 W 090° 26.283. Remember to project your waypoint from the overlook or coords at the top of the page, NOT from the coords at the sign.
The number of "DOs" equal "X" and the number of "DO NOTs" will equal "Y". (X + Y = 7) There are several signs in the park with the same information. You reach the overlook by taking the paved trail that runs along the powerlines from the handicap parking area. Now you need to project a waypoint from this spot. Multiply "X" by 70 which will give you the number of meters for the projected WP and multiply "Y" by 27 which will be the bearing in true degrees. That will lead you to the Rubbermaid container which contains the normal "stuff".
As you're heading over to the cache, stop at N38 33.966; W90 26.355 and discover the Watson Cave opening. It is at the base of two rock walls that meet at a 90 degree angle. It looks like a wide crack between the two. It is gated just inside the opening to allow the Indiana bats passage at night. Originally the cave went for a way in a Westernly direction and contained a 5 foot waterfall. When HY 270 was built, it intersected the cave so now it is relatively short. As you drive North on 270 and just before you pass under the RR tracks parallel to Big Bend, you will notice a large 6' x 10' section of concrete on the rock bluff along the highway. That was where they cut through the cave.
Parking Instructions
Park at N38 33.927; W90 25.973. This lot is located just off Marshall Road near Big Bend. Park outside the gate and walk in (1/3 mile). The road into the park is for handicap only. The park hours are sunrise to sunset. The "No Trespassing" signs refer to the property along either side the road into the park.
***NOTE***
Dogs are NOT allowed in this park.
I would like to thank the Kirkwood Parks Department for letting me place this cache in this piece of history and to the 3 park employees who gave me some good ideas. Even though much of the trash has been removed, this area has been vacant some 80-90 years, so there are still quite a few cans and bottles that remain hidden in the area. This would be a perfect place to do a little "Cache In, Trash Out" to help the Park and ourselves.