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Center Square Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

UnNamed: Archived

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Hidden : 2/9/2006
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This offset multi-cache will lead you to a micro container hidden in a public park that is a short walk from Philadelphia’s City Hall. You must bring your own pen to sign the log.

I can’t stress enough the importance of stealth when retrieving or replacing the cache. This Wi-Fi enabled park can be an extremely busy place. The hint for this well-hidden cache is almost a spoiler so you can find the cache without attracting too much attention. Please hide it so it can’t be seen when you are done.

The listed coordinates will lead you to the center courtyard of City Hall. All of the information needed to find the cache container will be found within the four corridors that radiate from the center.

The final cache coordinates are: 39° 57.ABC 075° 09.XYZ

Start your search in the EAST corridor. There are several archways with depictions of animals over them.

A = How many eagles are over the arches?

B = How many rams are over the arches?

Next, go to the SOUTH corridor.

C = How many cat-like animals are emerging from the bottom of the pillars. Divide this number by 2.

Next, go to the WEST corridor.

X = Add five to the number of roaring lion heads and the number of large, hanging light fixtures.

Next, go to the NORTH corridor, and find a large plaque on the wall with William Penn’s Prayer for Philadelphia. (A smaller plaque is located in another location.)

Y = Add the first and last digits of the date listed for “William Penn’s Prayer for Philadelphia.”

In this same corridor, find the area with four complete columns that have sculptures on top of them.

Z = The number of Native Americans on top of one of the columns minus the number of elephant heads above the archways in that area.

Leave through the North entrance to go find the cache.

From the web:

William Penn's 1683 plan for Philadelphia set Center Square, the largest of five rectangular squares, aside for public buildings. Until the 19th century Center Square was far from central as most of the population lived near the Delaware river, close to the Independence Hall. As the population started to move westward and the need for a larger city hall became imminent, a move to Center Square was approved in 1870. By then Center Square had been renamed Penn Square in honor of the city's founder, William Penn.

Construction of the building started the following year after a design by John McArthur, Jr. in the then very popular Second Empire style. The ambitious project was to result in the tallest building in the world but by the time it was completed in 1901 after 30 years of construction, it had been eclipsed by the Washington Monument and the Eiffel Tower.

The enormous city hall is still the tallest and largest masonry building in the world. Since no steel frame was used, the walls at the first floor are up to 22ft thick to support all the weight from the floors above. The eight floors, each about 16ft high, look like just three floors from the outside.

The central tower reaches a height of 511ft. It is topped by a statue of William Penn. The massive statue is 37ft high and weighs 27 ton. It is just one of 250 sculptures created by Alexander Calder for both the interior and exterior of the City Hall. The building's more than 600 rooms are organized around a central courtyard, which can be reached via the large archways on each of the four sides In 1987 One Liberty Place dethroned the Philadelphia City Hall as the tallest building in the city. Until then an agreement between developers would not allow any building in the city center to be higher than the hat of William Penn's statue on top of the City Hall.

The tower has an observation deck open to the public. Some of its beautiful interior can also be visited; go to the City Hall Tour Information Center Room 121 at the East City Hall Entrance for information and tickets.

Tour information:

City Hall Tower Tours

· FREE Tickets.

· View the city from 40 stories.

· Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30am-4:30pm

Note: 10am-Noon is often reserved for schools. Pick up your tickets early because they do fill up the tours fast.

Ticket are available in the City Hall Tour Information Center Room 121 (East City Hall Entrance) Ticket are timed every 15 minutes and the elevator only holds 5 people per tour.

Contact phone 215-686-2840.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

va gur pbeare bs gur ergnvavat jnyyf arne gur gbc bs gur fgrcf, nobhg guerr guerr srrg hc, haqre na vapu bs teniry

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)