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Pioneers R.I.P.? Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

AlphaRoaming: Time to let this one go. Nice story but not a great hiding spot!

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Hidden : 3/16/2006
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Easy grab and a history lesson! Located a few blocks from Pioneer Park, as Downtown Mountain View is at "maximum cache density". I recommend the hint to make it an easy grab. Otherwise, you may have to deal with muggles, juniper, and ivy.

Do you know where Mountain Views earliest settlers are resting?

The historical background of "Pioneer Park" is often missed even by frequent visitors. Did you know that Mountain View's earliest european settlers are resting beneath the green grass of Pioneer Park?

Pioneer Park used to be an all-faiths cemetery, which was covered-over by the city of Mountain View in 1966 after becoming a bit dilapidated since burials stopped in 1905.

It's not unprecedented that graves would be moved for a public works project (i.e. eminent domain against the dead!), as in the mass relocations around 1939 from San Francisco to Colma.
 
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=3589212
 
http://www.sanfranciscocemeteries.com/

Besides "eminent domain" against those who can't speak for themselves, what about property rights? Those plots were purchased by caring families!
 
In the case of Mountain View, however, the gravestones were merely pushed over and covered-up in 1966. This was despite opposition from the "Mountain View Pioneer and Historical Society", which now operates the History Center inside the nearby library. Their office hours, inside the library, are limited to 8 hours a week: tuesday from 1 to 5 and wednesday from 5 to 9. Phone 650-903-6337. Tuesday afternoon is the best time to visit.

Barbara, who also is the MV City Historian, was very helpful and friendly when I visited. She has photos and records of the headstones, photographed in the 1930's. The info is not on the web, however.
It is sometimes said that, except for famous people, most people are forgotten 2 to 3 generations after they pass away. I guess that protection of those that are forgotten can't be taken for granted.

Enjoy this easy cache and the history lesson! Why is Toys R Us haunted (cache GCG423) and this place isn't?

Do you know where your dead relatives are?

Left a "where's george" dollar for the FTF (2001 series F27972832E). Of course, everybody knows where George is. His grave is safe because he's famous!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fvg qbja ba jnyy pybfrfg gb FGBC. Fgergpu lbhe nezf

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)