Lockport, NY, is one of the most historic places in all of Niagara County. The city is most known for canal locks 34 and 35: engineering marvels that you can find just off of Main St., in the heart of downtown Lockport. Not only did canal locks 34 and 35 pave the way for the development of the city of Lockport, they also helped lay the groundwork for economic development in much of WNY during the 19th and early 20th centuries. During the warmer months, boat tours are available to the public for a fee. On these tours you can experience the entire process of lowering a boat down the fifty-foot drop first hand. The Lockport Canal Museum is also located in this area. In it you can find a ton of historic canal memorabilia. Admission to the museum is free, however, it is normally closed during the winter. The mysterious Lockport cave is also located within this area. Tours of the cave are available for a fee. Like the museum, the cave is only open during the warmer months. For your caching quest, you will be utilizing the self-guided tour of the lock area. This foot tour is available 24/7 and most importantly, it’s free! However, keep in mind that this is an urban setting if you are attempting this cache at night.
A large system of winding stairways and walkways allow for a close-up tour of the locks and this portion of the Erie Canal. There are over a dozen informative plaques that are spread randomly throughout this historic area. On each plaque you will find a mini history lesson, complete with photos and other informative tidbits, that details a portion of the lock construction process. Each plaque also contains an area # (i.e., Area #1, etc.). Additionally, there are at least and half dozen monuments littered throughout the area. These monuments pay homage to various people who played a vital role in the construction of the locks. Please note that during the winter, this cache will be accessible, but after a heavy snowfall it may be more of a challenge. Some of the walkways will be slippery and a few of the plaques will be covered in snow. The above coordinates are recommended parking coordinates (Main Street, a stones throw from the locks). You can use these coordinates for parking, however, free parking is available throughout much of downtown Lockport and you can access the self-guided tour from a number of different spots; feel free park where you see fit.
To find the actual cache, you will need to retrieve information from the various historic plaques and monuments in the area and use it to solve a number of puzzles. Once you have solved all of the problems, you’ll have the coordinates to the final cache area. The final cache is a small, fittingly used Lock & Lock container. Original cache contents include logbook and pen, a pair of batteries, a mini 1st aid kit, and 3 TB’s. Please take the time to re-hide the cache exactly how you found it so the hide remains challenging for other cachers. Please note that we have seen joggers and people fishing during the warmer months, so keep an eye out. Through this cache, we hope you will learn a little history regarding this area and have a blast while doing so. Good luck and happy caching!
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N43.AB.CDE W078.FG.HIJ
A. From area #3, find the 1st digit in the # of locks from the Original Erie Canal. Subtract that number from the 3rd digit in the 3 digit length provided on the sign to the left of area #3.
B. The 2nd digit in the 5 digit number on the boat near area #13
C. Near N43.10.236, W078.41.578 there is a monument commemorating the anniversary of the completion of the original locks. Subtract the last digit in the year form the 3rd digit in the year.
D. At area #11, there is a picture of rocks being sliced away by a steam powered channeling machine. Retrieve the last 2 digits of the year the picture was taken. At area #10, find the number of giant single locks that replaced the old double locks. Subtract the number found at area #10 from the number found at area #11.
E. At area #7, find the year that an advertisement was placed for “1000 men wanted @ Lockport for $12 per month.” Subtract 1 from the last digit in the year.
F. Near N43.10.177, W078.41.662 there is a monument. What division # was William J. Ryan from?
G. At area #9, add the number of horses in the team to the number of miles per hour that they traveled. Then at area #8, add the 2 digits together that make up the total miles the uninterrupted trip was from Rochester to Lockport. Subtract the number from area #9 from the number you got at area #8.
H. At area #4, what is the # difference between the listed double lock numbers that were constructed in 1836 and 1847?
I. Near N43.10.215, W078.41.602 there is a monument. What is the last digit in the year of the original dedication?
J. At area #8, the sign indicates Marquis de Lafayette was invited to Lockport in June of 18_6 "where he marveled at the engineering genius that produced the twin flight of locks." The 3rd digit in that year is "J."