****** Sept. 17, 2013 *****
For those of you who were caching prior to 2007 probably remember this series which was archived on 9/25/2006 at the requests of the STL County Parks Dept. lawyers. We again have permission to replace these caches and is open to new caches also.
We have simply unarchived the cache pages to keep the log history, so these WILL NOT show up as new caches in the notifications or PQ's. But.....since each has a small change, such as a different WP location or final, or both, they can be "refound" and logged again. This should make your trip up here more enjoyable and 3 more 
***WARNING***
This area contains high bluffs, uneven ground, deep holes and downed fences. Be alert, especially with children, since you can get hurt.
This piece of land, 115 acres, is adjacent to the Al Foster trail between Glencoe and Sherman. The property is at the top of the bluff along the Al Foster trail. Access to the top is accessible by a new bike trail leading to the top from the Eest side. And now a new parking lot on Old State road will make a nice walk to the cache area too.
George Packwood Jr. was an engineer for the Frisco RR and designed and constructed the signals along the RR tracks. He had a problem keeping his hands clean and using the industrial soaps made his hands raw. So he worked on the side and developed a milder industrial soap that wouldn't bother his hands and tried to sell it to service stations. They wouldn't buy it unless it came with a dispenser. He developed the dispenser and in 1926 launched his own business selling the soap and dispensers. In the 50's, his company was sold to the Calgon Corp. Some of you may remember the chrome dispensers in the old service stations. They looked like a chrome funnel with a 1/2" diameter rod sticking out the bottom. Pushing up on the rod released the soap powder, which looked like todays Tide, in your hand.
Packwood, a bachelor, purchased this property and in 1943 had a house built on the bluff overlooking the Meramec river and the valley. The house contained 8 bedrooms, gymnasium, chapel, living room, and a dining room. Much of the old foundations and part of the old porch still remains. There are also low rock walls and ornamental concrete that were part of the gardens.
Packwood was a big supporter of the Humane Society and the care of injured ranch animals. The old concrete fenceposts and wire fencing was used for the care of his animals, and in later years the Humane Society used this property and put up the chain link pens to care for wolves, foxes, deer, etc.
Since this property is undeveloped and gone unused for many years, you may find some old "No trespassing-Under development-St. Louis County Parks" signs as you wander around.These can be ignored. There are also old concrete and wire fences along with newer chain link fences (with gates) which acted as pens. All this is from the previous occupants and we are free to roam the whole area.
Enough history; now on to the caching details.
We made this a multi to show you different parts of the property. Spend some time and explore the area. Other caches are being placed to show off other features of this area and other nearby areas that are joint castlewood SP and St. Louis county parks.
WP1- (above) will give you an idea of the type of animal lover he was. When you find Nobel, you will need the last four numbers from the description and call that "X" (checksum = 23).
To calculate the coordinates to WP2, SUBTRACT 1287 from X, which will give you the decimal minutes for North. SUBTRACT 1808 from X and that will give you the decimal minutes for West.
I.E. If X was 2000, subtracting 1287 would equal 713, so the North coords would be N38° 32.713. Same proceedure for West.
WP2- At this waypoint you will find an object with two, three digit numbers that are painted. One is marked with an "N" and the other a "W". These are the North and West decimal minutes for the final and should REPLACE the decimal minutes as done in WP1.
Final- A plastic coffee jar covered with camo tape.
| NOTICE: Please be respectful of the posted park hours. If you enter the park after hours you are trespassing. If you are stopped you can be ticketed or arrested and will put the future of geocaching in the parks in jeopardy. |