GCNR4Q Cohoes History Lesson (Traditional Cache) in New York, United States created by rick

This cache has been archived.

rick_adk: This cache has had a really great run, especially considering the location.

The location is the reason I've decided to archive the cache.

This is a historically sensitive area, and checking on the cache has led me to feel that it has begun to cause "wear" on the hiding spot.

Between that and the apartments across the street that opened after the cache was hidden I feel it's time to thank everyone who's looked for it, and archive it.

..... Rick

GCNR4Q ▼

A cache by rick_adk Message this owner

Hidden : 5/2/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A small cache located in the new Power Canal Park on No. Mohawk St in Cohoes, NY. This is the second of my area history related caches. It's a very "gentle" cache with lots to do within a very short walking distance. The park is handicap accessible, although the cache itself is not.

This is a small size cache intended more to bring you to an interesting, historic area than to trade items. The cache is located in Power Canal Park on North Mohawk Street in Cohoes. It's the second cache that I've placed to show some of the history that helped shape our area.

Below you'll find a whole list of things to see while you're here to do the cache. The great thing is that except for one of the places everything is within about 1/4 mile of the cache!

I enjoy sharing my interest in local history with everyone, and I hope you have as much fun exploring the history behind the area as I do, and that you are enticed to expand your interest in our area's history.

The container is a "soup thermos" about 3 inches around and 7 inches long and has no room for more than the log book and things like that - please do not place trade items, TBs, etc in it. Please respect the area and its historical significance. The cache was placed without moving, lifting, altering, etc anything. In fact, it was simply set into place. That is all you need to do to retrieve it, and please be sure to rehide it well. Important! Although it's not posted, all City of Cohoes parks close at dusk. Do not do this cache after dark - the police are up and down North Mohawk Street almost constantly, and I have no doubt they'd take lots of interest in someone walking back and forth in the park with a flashlight, acting like they're looking for something.

Some of the interesting things you'll find here:

Power Canal Park:

The cache is located in Power Canal Park. Did you know that the current Erie Canal (NYS Barge Canal) is the THIRD Erie Canal? The park is located within the original "Clinton's Ditch". When the second or "enlarged Erie Canal" was opened this portion of the original was converted for use as a power canal. (While standing in the park, look up the hill behind the park - the large stone structure is one of the locks from the enlarged canal.) It provided power to run the looms in the mills of Cohoes, particularly the Harmony Mills. The park was opened in 2004 as part of the North Mohawk Street reconstruction project. Please allow time while at the park to explore, and to check out the interpretive signage - they've done a great job with it!

A brief history of the Erie Canal can be found here, on the NYS Barge Canal web site.

If you would like to take a very nice bicycle tour of the Erie and Champlain Canals in the area, there's a self-guided bicycle tour available on the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway website, here,

Cohoes Mastodon Site:

Just a short walk north of the park, at the north end of Harmony Mill number 3, is the site where the Cohoes Mastodon was found. You'll find a historic marker at the approximate site, N42 46.970 W073 42.404. The mastodon skeleton is now in the NYS Museum.

A brief article about the mastodon can be found here, on the City of Cohoes web site.

Harmony Mills:

While standing in the park you're in the middle of the former Harmony Mills. The Harmony Mills quite literally built much of early Cohoes as a mill town. Some of the largest weaving mills in the country, they were powered by the waters of the Mohawk River.

The Spindle City Historic Society has prepared a presentation on the history of the mills that utilizes both video and a diorama to detail not only the history of the mills, but also labor in Cohoes and New York. The Spindle City Historic Society is located in the Cohoes Music Hall (see below).

The Spindle City Historic Society also has a self-guided walking/bicycling tour of the mill district. There is a map and a guide for the tour. Here is the map, and here's the tour guide,.

The Cohoes Falls:

The Cohoes Falls are said to be the second-widest falls in New York State. A magnificent site with water flowing over them, they are best viewed in the spring. The lower photo was taken from the overlook for the falls, which is just north of Harmony Mill 3, at N42 47.065 W73 42.436. The top photo was taken from a parking area down the street, at N42 46.687 W073 42.054. Unfortunately, during the summer and fall the falls can be almost dry, as water is channeled into the Barge (Erie) Canal and for hydro projects.

The City of Cohoes web site has a page that tells some of the legends, lore and history of the falls which is found here,.

The US Geological Survey has a web site that features a web cam of the falls along with current water volumes, etc. It's a great way to see just how much water there is going over before making a special trip there. It can be found here.

Spindle City Historic Society and Cohoes Music Hall:

Located at 58 Remsen Street N42 46.537 W073 42.094 you'll find the Cohoes Music Hall. The first floor is the Cohoes RiverSpark visitor center, home of the Spindle City Historic Society. (Their web site is at http://www.spindlecity.org.)

Upstairs you'll find the historic Cohoes Music Hall. The Music Hall is a little-known music venue with great acoustics and presents a full season of productions every year. A history of the Music Hall may be found here. Information and schedules for shows may be found here.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Evtug unaq fvqr snpvat gur nepurf - fvatyr nepu - obggbz yrsg pbeare - whfg guebhtu gur tngr - ghpxrq vagb n ynetr penpx.

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)