Laurel Dam-It's a Bazooka Cache Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Reviewer Hilts: Since I haven't heard from the owner, and the cache is apparently gone or in dire need of maintenance, I'm reluctantly archiving this cache. If the owner wishes to reactivate this cache, please e-mail me at reviewerhilts@gmail.com and I'll un-archive it as soon as I can.

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Hidden : 4/3/2005
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Cache has a patriotic theme and is also a travel bug hotel. Most contents are Red, White or Blue or are a survivor item. Original contents include patriotic pencils with star erasers, pins, & flags as well as a Cache-in Trash-out bag in a 35mm container, Kleenex, flashlight and rain poncho. The cache container is

reflective of the cache name.

Cache Info
Park here - N 39 29.053 W 085 11.452 -
I wanted mainly to share this little park, the view of the dam and the sound of the rushing water.

Historical Info
Laurel Feeder Dam is #4 in a series of 7 dams and 42 locks on the historic Whitewater Canal. The dams "feed" the canal water that is lost from evaporation and absorption. The Indiana legislature passed the Mammoth Internal Improvements Act in 1836 allowing the canal's construction. Soon after, the state went bankrupt and the construction of the Whitewater Canal was turned over to a private company which completed the connection between National Road (SR 40) and the Ohio River in 1846. The canal had a short life of only 19 years. It was plagued with problems such as low water, floods, eroding banks, and rotting wooden locks. The canal was not profitable and was made obsolete by the Whitewater Valley Railroad, to which its’ right of way was sold in 1865. The tracks are still in use by the Whitewater Valley Railroad now run by volunteers/train enthusiasts. On weekends, two round trips per day are made from Connersville to Metamora, a historic town and popular shopping destination. (visit link)
The canal boats were pulled by work horses & mules which walked along side the canal. For the local farmers, it would take six freight wagons to haul the amount of grain that could be taken to market on one canal boat. This was the 1846 equivalent of an Interstate Highway today. You can see one of these boats in Metamora. (visit link)
Laurel Feeder Dam was originally constructed of wood. It washed out in the flood of 1937, and the dam section was replaced with concrete.
The 15-mile section of the Whitewater Canal between Laurel Feeder Dam to Brookville adjacent to the West Fork of the Whitewater River was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1968.

Local Info
Bring your fishing pole and minnows for small mouth bass fishing. (Worms will only catch Bullhead Chubs.) Every species of fish that is in Brookville Reservoir is below this dam. By canoe, it is a nice 7-mile, 3-hour, float to Metamora or continuing to Brookville for another 10 miles and approximately 3 hours on the river. (visit link)
If you feel like you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and at a loss for a place to eat, the Laurel Hotel, Restaurant & Bar serves a nice buffet of fried chicken, catfish, crab legs, etc. The Hearthstone Restaurant, in Metamora, has a nice atmosphere and also has great food. A scene from the movie Rainman was filmed there. Connersville (47331), N on SR 121, offers Mexican and Chinese restaurants, several fast food and pizza places, pharmacies, nice new movie theatre, major department stores, and a few more caches in a nice park with playground.

Cache History
Original "Bazooka" Tube container was muggled...lost 4 travel bugs and a lot of quality trades. Placed new ammo box in previous summer location.
Cache moved 2/26/06 to a more lofty location to avoid losing the cache in the Spring floods.
The cache was moved 10/29/05 because of confusion with No Tresspassing signs.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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