Collins Block Traditional Cache
Sapience Trek: It appears that this cache was changed from a traditional to a virtual some time ago. If you would like to replace this cache with a traditional container please let me know and I'd be happy to unarchive the listing.
Thanks.
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Parking is difficult at times, but you will learn a little history
of Syracuse. Email us with the answers to the questions below. Look
in the clue for the log book which is hidden in a micro
cache
The Collins Block Fire - February 3rd, 1939 Smoke was discovered in
a stairway at 223-227 E. Genesee Street at 1:59 AM , and the 1st
alarm was sounded. As flames broke through the roof of the 5-story
brick building, scores of Syracuse firemen responded to what would
become a 3-alarm fire. Despite bitter cold, the fire was under
control by 3:45 . At almost exactly 4 AM , while firemen were busy
inside the building chasing "hot spots" and overhauling, disaster
struck. As a creaking noise sent the firemen scurrying toward
safety, the rear section of the roof collapsed. Tons of roofing,
lumber, water and bricks fell through each successive floor to the
basement. Carried with it were two firemen from the 3rd floor,
three from the 2nd floor, and one from the 1st. It was first
thought that three men working in the basement were the only ones
trapped, but soon it became known that the total was nine. As
firemen began frantic efforts to find and remove their trapped
comrades, one voice responded. FF William Moore was pulled to
safety by FF John Frost of Engine 12, after Frost cut through a
brick wall using only his axe. At daybreak about 90 minutes later,
the remaining back walls fell and hope faded that anyone else would
be found alive. A massive recovery effort was mounted by the
firemen and citizens over the next two days, until all eight bodies
were recovered. The following day, First Assistant Chief Charles
Boynton died at his home of a heart attack brought on by
over-exertion at the scene, bringing the total of victims to nine.
He had been checking floor conditions with Lt. David Lavine when
the collapse occurred. Lavine fell and Chief Boynton barely
escaped, only to be claimed later. Over the next several days, a
sorrowful community buried its heroes in separate rites. Over
$55,000 was raised for the widows and children of the fallen, and
Mayor Rolland P. Marvin suggested that a memorial be raised to
their memory, and the memory of all Syracuse Firefighters killed in
the line of duty. Each February 3rd continuing to the present day,
the SFD gathers in respectful tribute to the brave men who have
given their lives for their community.
_______________________________________________________ To claim
this cache, email us with the answers to these questions: NOTE:
There are many monuments in this park - all these questions refer
only to ONE monument. 1. What is the original name for this park?
2. When did Hamilton Sailsbury White die? and how? 3. How many
horses are in park? 4. At the monument you are standing at
currently, there is a man wearing a coat (part of his uniform), how
many buttons are on his coat? 5. The citizens of Syracuse erected
this monument without __________ of _______, ________ or ______. If
you answer the questions correctly, I will send a reply. You may
then go ahead and submit your log report, after emailing the
answers. PLEASE do not leave the answers in your log.
The micro has come up missing again. We are trying to find a better
container and/or location for the micro. So, Please, until further
notice, please email the answers and log the cache.
Click to join CNYCachers
5/20/2008 - Recently, this park had been cleaned by a volunteer
group of Firefighters from Syracuse. One of these Firemen contacted
us and offered the following information and picture from the early
years of the park.
Fayette Firefighters Memorial Park
One of the earliest public spaces in the history of Syracuse,
dating back to the 1820’s, this park was given its current
boundaries in 1839. For over 150 years this site has been an open
public green space, originally set aside as a public square for
residents of what was then known as the Village of Syracuse. As
early as 1841, the area became known as Fayette Park.
Around 1866, three men – John Crouse, James M. Ellis and Hamilton
Swift – began discussions to improve the appearance of the park.
Within months, a total of $20,000 was collected from residents,
with most of the funds going toward the erection of the perimeter
iron fence and stone foundation wall, constructed in 1869 and still
in existence today.
The park’s central focal point is the 19-foot tall Philip Eckel
Monument, set within an oval-shaped pool with dual fountains on
each side. This monument was the third outdoor commemorative
monument erected in the city, and honors the life and unfortunate
death of German immigrant Fire Chief Philip Eckel. Originally
dedicated on August 22, 1900, this monument was located on the
city’s north side. In 1959, the granite statue was moved to Ashland
Park, and in 1979 it was moved once again, to its current location
in Fayette Firefighters Park.
The Hamilton White Monument, the seventeenth commemorative
monument erected in Syracuse, located on the west end of the park,
was dedicated on June 27, 1905. It honors Hamilton Salisbury White,
a respected Syracusan who was instrumental in the early growth and
development of the Syracuse Fire Department.
In 1934, the Parks Department redesigned the park to a more
formal, orderly layout that demanded less maintenance. The overall
shape of the park remained, but pathways were greatly simplified,
eliminating the numerous circular paths that existed. A stone
exedra was placed at the east end of the park to balance the
Hamilton White Monument at the other end. This exedra was later
altered when a memorial monument to firefighters (Collins Block
Memorial) was added and dedicated on September 30, 1939. This
became the third commemorative monument to honor
firefighters.
The Common Council officially changed the park’s name to Fayette
Firefighters Memorial Park on October 10, 1972, to honor and
recognize those firefighters killed in the line of duty, making the
supreme sacrifice in service to the citizens of the City of
Syracuse. In 1985, a fire bell dating from 1871 was added to the
park and presently hangs from a 12-foot tall bell tower.
(compiled by Jim Ennis)
The picture will be posted in a log, HTML doesn't seem to want to
work.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Micro Cache Clue] Ernq gur pnpur cntr. Nyy lbh arrq gb svaq gur pnpur vf yvfgrq va gur cntr. Ab nqqvgvbany pyhrf ner arrqrq. Whfg ernq gur pnpur cntr.
Treasures
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