GCGDAT Noccalula Falls Micro (Traditional Cache) in Alabama, United States created by MoonSilver, adopted by Treadora

This cache has been archived.

mtn-man: If you can fix or verify this cache it can be easily unarchived. For now I am going to archive it. Feel free to contact me through my profile linked below if you fix it.

NOTE: If you have any questions, do not reply to the archive note email. Click on the link to go to the cache page and click on my name in the archive log at the bottom of the page. You can then send me an email regarding the cache. Please send me a link to the cache in question so I will know which cache it is regarding.

Thanks for your understanding,

mtn-man
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GCGDAT ▼

A cache by MoonSilver, adopted by Treadora Message this owner

Hidden : 7/5/2003

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is one amazing waterfall for this part of the country just off of I-59, along Hwy 211 in Gadsden.

Coordinates updated Oct 14, 2005. A few people found the cache to be up to 80ft from the previously posted coordinates. Hopefully this will take care of that finally. There is a very helpful encoded hint below that will help you find the cache if this is the case on your visit. If you do wind up with different coordinates, please email them to me. Don't include them in your logs for now, just send them to me. Enjoy the view!

The following legend is according to a brochure, created by BARA Publications, about Noccalula Falls Park & Campground:
"The LEGEND OF NOCCALULA came from these early times. Originally known as Black Creek Falls, the legend as written by Mathilde Bilbro says that 'long ago, on a mountain summit within sight and sound of a rushing waterfall, lived a great Indian Chief whose young daughter, Noccalula, was famed far and wide for her beauty and loveliness of character. Many gallant braves sought the old chief for the hand of Noccalula, but only one was favored by the girl's father, a rich chief of a powerful neighboring tribe, who had much to offer in exchange: wampum, horses, blankets. Vainly Noccalula pleaded that her heart was already given to a young brave of her own tribe. But this young warrior, though noted for his skill and valor, possessed but little in worldly goods.
" 'The old chief refused to listen and ordered his daughter to make ready for the marriage he had arranged. What was a maiden's silly fancy against many horses, much wampum, and union with another strong tribe? The girl's lover was driven from the tribe, and a marriage agreement was made with the neighboring chief.
" 'The wedding day came and a great feast was prepared. In silence Noccalula allowed herself to be arrayed in festive wedding robes. It was incredible!........To be sold to a stranger by the father she loved! Her chosen lover forever banished! Overcome with grief, she quietly slipped away from the merrymakers during the festivities.......the soft rhythmical rush of waters called her........a moment she stood poised upon the brink of the yawning chasm. One leap--and her troubles were over.
" 'Heartbroken, the remorseful father gave the great cataract his daughter's name, and since that day the falls has been called Noccalula.' "

To borrow from this website:

::History of Noccalula Falls::

Within the City of Gadsden is Nocalula Falls and Black Creek Gorge. It is the only significant waterfall in the United States to be within a city limit. It makes a vertical drop of nearly a hundred feet from the sandstone top to the bottom of the gorge. The gorge varies in width from two to six hundred feet and extends over one-half of a mile below the falls. The channel has been cut through carboniferous sandstone and limestone, leaving vertical walls of about one hundred feet in height. The amount of water passing over the falls varies considerably in volume, which drains from the narrow plateau basin on top of Southern Lookout Mountain. The plateau extends only twenty miles above the falls.

The Falls and forty acres of surrounding property was first owned my Thomas McClung in 1845. In about 1870, G. O. Baker of Dallas County came into posession of the falls and added other acreage to the holdings.

In February of 1922, discussion began in the City of Gadsden regarding the purchase of the Falls property. T. S. Kyle, chairman representing the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Civitan Clubs asked the City Council to look into aquiring the property before it was divided and sold.

In 1929, Colonel R. A. Mitchell, banker, industrialist, mayor, and town builder bought the 169 acres surrounding the falls. He decided that this property should be reserved for a city park.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur svyz pnaavfgre jvgu n ybt vafvqr vf cnfg gur Ynj Rasbeprzrag Zrzbevny. Ybbx sbe gur punvayvax srapr jvgu 2 phg bss gerr yvzof gung unir tebja guebhtu, orgjrra gur fghzc naq gur srapr.

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)