The cache is not located at the above coordinates but is reasonably close. This cache will take you through North Delta's designated heritage sites. All sites are on main routes and should be fairly easy to find but you will need a vehicle to travel between them. The final leg to the cache is a short walk along the perimeter of an important part of Delta's history. The total tour from first to last, should be possible in less than 20km. The time will vary according to your personal knowledge of the area and landmarks and prior research.
History of Delta
The Delta flats were virtually unexplored until sighted by a group of Hudson Bay Company men in 1822. Thirty–six years later two British gold seekers en route to the Caribou Gold Fields, were attracted by Delta’s Agricultural potential and decided to settle there.
Before the first European settlers arrived, most of Delta was an often submerged marshland, with Coast Salish settlements in the highlands of North Delta and the western beaches near what is currently the Tsawwassen Reserve.
Delta's first European pioneers arrived in 1859. They cleared land on the Fraser River shores in North Delta for farming. However, it was the foresight of two brothers, Thomas and William Ladner, who initiated the beginnings of the community of Delta.
Floods in 1891 and 1895 inspired an ambitious diking and drainage project which successfully alleviated flooding in the lowlands. Modern extensions to the dike system ensure protection from flooding today, and enable modern farms to grow a wide variety of different foods.
Starting point –– N49 08.910 W122 55.348
There is no significance to this as the starting point other than a little bit of area history. Gray Elementary School was named for the Gray Family who homesteaded on Gray Road, which is now 80th Avenue. The Gray homestead was located on the north side of the road somewhere west of the Shannon Apartments.
The Gray family consisted of four members. Robert senior and Adeline were the parents who farmed the original homestead. The children, Robb and Samuel were also actively involved in the farming activities.
The land on which Gray Elementary School sits was a large pig farm in the 1950's and 1960's. The site was purchased by the Delta School Board from Mr. S. Hoon in 1959. In 1970, the Delta School Board exchanged 3.08 acres with the Municipality of Delta so as to ensure that the school was located on a higher elevation of land. From here, you will have to locate the following land marked heritage sites and glean information off of plaques and signs at each site.
First Stop –– N49 10.248 W122 54.901
| This church was built in the Norwegian fishing community in the early 1900s. It was built to replace the one on Norum Point. A one roomed school house was also built nearby.
This is a prominent landmark for those who drive through this area. There is a brass Delta Heritage plaque located near by which has some information that you will need.
The second digit of the year the church was built will become 'A'.
Buildings in this area date from _______, 'B' is the last digit in that year.
There are windows in what I would assume is the belfry. The number of windows is 'C'.
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Second Stop –– N49 10.618 W122 54.859
**** I have been told that the sign is missing from the second stop, so I have put a picture of it into the image gallery. ****
| The first Salmon cannery in British Columbia was built on this site. Today, it is in an industrial area and is an empty lot.
The plant was rather a primitive affair. The cylinders upon which the cans were shaped were of wood - covered with a sheet of iron. The trays were small wooden contrivances holding about 3 dozen one-pound cans. There was practically no machinery and the operations were entirely carried on by hand. After being put in the cans, the fish was preserved by boiling in large wooden vats. Great difficulty was experienced in fully cooking the salmon. The boiling point of water proved not to be sufficient to do the job satisfactorily. To overcome this, salt was added to the water. By this means, the temperature was raised to 230 degrees. The room in which the salmon cooking was performed was in temperatures somewhat like a Turkish bath. No windows or doors were allowed to be opened except of necessity under the mistaken idea that a cold current of air would injure the product.
You will need information off of this sign for the year the cannery was built. The second digit in the year is 'D' and the final digit is 'E'.
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Third Stop –– N49 10.015 W122 54.284
Mr. Bert Gibson, who homesteaded on Gibson Road. Gibson Road (formerly known as Gibson Trail) went west from Scott Road (est. 1895) to Oliver Road (112th Street). Bert Gibson's homestead was located on the brow of 90th Avenue, between 116th Street and Scott Road.
Bert Gibson was born in New Brunswick in 1866 and had a long and colorful life. As a young man he belonged to Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and then he followed the gold rush to the experience and decided to purchase several acres in this area, which was then known as Kennedy. With an axe and a saw, he built his home on the land which at that time was forested with cedars and Douglas fir trees. Bert was a veteran of the First World War and upon his return to Canada, he married Sarah Banister, whom he met in Manchester. They had one son, Bert D. Gibson. Bert Senior passed away in 1960, at the age of 95.
You will need to locate this information kiosk. This kiosk tells us the story of the Kennedy Trail. Once you find it, have a read through it as you will need information gleaned from your reading.
The last digit in the year James Kennedy was born is 'F'.
The last digit in the year he died is "G'.
The year in 1800 that he married Caroline is 'H' and 'I'.
The Kennedy trail linked up with the Telegraph trail from the US in 186J.
How old was James Jr. when they moved to Panama? That is 'K'
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Parking –– N 49° 0F.AIB W122° HJ.EIC
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There is plenty of parking and the final two locations can be accessed from here.
Parking: N 49° 0F.AIB W122° HJ.EIC
N 49° 0__ . __ __ __ W122° __ __ . __ __ __
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Fourth Stop –– N 49 0F.AEA W 122 HJ.EAH
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I would suggest you park at the location above. There is a small obstacle in your path which during the wetter weather will be a little trickier to cross, however, where there is a will there is a way. If it is really wet, there is a way over to the south of this picture. Also, be aware since this is a rural area, there are unmarked railway crossings, so watch out for trains, however, I have never seen a train come along these tracks.
Stop#4: N 49° 0F.AEA W122° HJ.EAH
N 49° 0__ . __ __ __ W122° __ __ . __ __ __
Although there is nothing here except the ruins of what was once an industrial site, it used to be the Western Peat Company where they harvested and processed peat which in turn was sold to the US Army. This occurred between 1941 and 1948. You will need the BNSF Police phone number located on the sign nearby. You will need the 5th number ('L') and the 10th number ('M') to complete the puzzle.
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Final Location –– N 49° 0F.LEA W 122° JM.KIG
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The cache location is near to this site. Follow your GPSr to the cache location. The coordinates for the final location will not bring you onto private property. Follow the trail, there are lots of cyclists, walkers and joggers who use this path for their recreation. This is a great spot for your four legged friend to get out and stretch his or her legs as well.
Cache Location N 49° 0F.LEA W 122° JM.KIG
N 49° 0 __ . __ __ __ W 122° __ __ . __ __ __
The cache is a 1 liter Lock&Lock, painted green with geocache markings. Original cache contents include, FTF certificate and reward in envelope, log book and pen/pencil, compass/beener, LED punch-buggie, mini-screwdriver keychain, paratrooper, GPSr food (x2), Team Muppet personal geo-coin, stickers and geocaching explanation card. There is a little bit of bushwhacking towards the final cache location. The cache is located approx. ED meters from the path.
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The first cache in the series was archived in 2009: “The Delta Heritage Cache – Ladner (GCTK42).