Robert Moses Micro # 1.8 v1 - Joncaire Multi-Cache
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Robert Moses Micro # 1.8 v1 - Joncaire
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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The first stage of this 2 part cache is located near the Niagara
Frontier Park, a small section of the Niagara Reservation State
Park along the American Rapids, upstream of Prospect Point. The
Niagara Reservation is the oldest state park in the United States,
being established in 1885. The landscape architect Frederick Law
Olmstead was in charge of its design, and it today maintains much
of the “wild” nature he originally intended.
Please note that the cache is not at the above coordinates as
originally planned. New York State Parks currently has a moratorium
on the placement of new geocaches within the Niagara Reservation
and along the entire Gorge rim. See below for instructions on
locating the coords for the actual micro.
From this point one can overlook the upstream end of Goat
Island and one has a good vantage of the “Parting of the Waters”
where the river water diverges to go over either the
American/Bridal Veil or Horseshoe Falls. Very close to this site
the history of harnessing the power of Niagara began when, in 1757,
Daniel Chabert de Joncaire dug a shallow 100 foot long canal to
power a sawmill. The beautiful Willow Island Park was created due
to this canal; sadly it and its accompanying “Riverway”
thoroughfare now lie beneath the concrete of the Robert Moses
Parkway. This section of the Parkway is now little traveled and
closed to eastbound traffic although one can access the small park
by parking along the lane closest to the river.
Joncaire’s father - Chabert de Joncaire “the Elder “ – is in fact
more steeped in the history of the area. He was the key figure in
establishing for France a portage route to enable a trade route
around the unnavigable Falls. About 1689, shortly after arriving in
the region, Joncaire had an eventful experience. According to a
companion’s writings…
"...[Joncaire]was taken captive by the Seneca’s. As they
were fastening him to a stake, to burn him, without knowing what he
did, he gave a blow of his fist on the nose of the one who held
him. It made the savage's nose bleed, averted the tragedy and saved
his life, since he was soon adopted, the savages admiring a man who
dared, alone, defend his life among his enemies..."
Because of this friendship, Joncaire was eventually advanced to
the rank of sachem (chief). By 1720 with Seneca approval he built a
small blockhouse for France near the downstream end of the portage
near the present site of Artpark. (Marked as National Historic
Landmark). Joncaire called this post "Magazin Royale" ("King's
Store"). Soon Senecas settled by it; many of them worked for the
French, carrying goods up and down the escarpment. Magazin Royale
served as a trading post until the opening of the more secure post
in the "Castle"--at Fort Niagara in 1727. Joncaire continued to
play a vital role as portage master and Seneca envoy until his
death in 1739. Despite his importance to the early years of
America, he has been largely lost to history as local authors have
highlighted…
"...Throughout these Dark Decades [1700-1740] there is a
figure in our regional history which, strive as we may, is at best
but dimly seen. Now it stands on the banks of the Niagara, a
shadowy symbol of the power of France. Now it appears in fraternal
alliance with the Iroquois; and anon it vanishes, leaving no more
trace than the wiliest warrior of the Senecas, silently
disappearing down the dim aisles of his native forest. Yet it is
around this illusive figure that the story of the Niagara centers
for forty years…
…This man is the French interpreter, soldier, and Seneca by
adoption…Chabert de Joncaire the elder. He never attained high rank
in the service; he was a very humble character in comparison with
several of his titled superiors, who were conspicuous in making the
history of our region during the time of his activity hereabouts.
But it was primarily through his skillful diplomacy, made efficient
by his peculiar relations to the Indians, that France was able to
gain a foothold on the Niagara, for trade and for defense, and to
maintain it for more than a quarter of a century..."
Severance, Frank H. The story of Joncaire, his life and times on
the Niagara (1906)
Historian Richard Aquila similarly stated...
"...One of the ironies of history is Joncaire's present
anonymity. Americans have made heroes out of Davy Crockett and
Daniel Boone, but overlook Joncaire, one of the first frontiersmen
of them all and perhaps the greatest. The fact that Joncaire was a
Frenchman, and therefore an enemy of the English might explain why
Americans have long neglected him, but it certainly does not
justify it..."
IMPORTANT NOTE TO LOG THIS CACHE
At the coordinates posted above you will find a small 6 sided stone
pump house. There is a benchmark disk (“906 3009 FALLS A”)on the
exterior wall. It’s original placement date was “1955” but this has
been “X’d” out and a new date has been overstamped. Only the last 3
digits of this new date are clearly visible, the leading “1” of
this overstamp is offset.
So we have a three digit number “9XY” visible.
Plug “X” and “Y” into the formula below to get the actual location
where you will find the micro…
N 43 04 [X+1]69
W 079 03 [Y-2]29
Emergency pencil is provided. Name and date only please.
Replace exactly as found. IF THERE IS MUGGLE ACTIVITY - USE THE
HINT as it should help you find this rather quickly.
First To Find = Goat Haunt
First to Log = Bill Zuez
 Beware of Muggles! |
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
"Frr-Va Erq" (n funqr bs...)
Treasures
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