Poughkeepsie's Diamond in the Rough Traditional Cache
New York Admin: I regret to report that the cache owner has not responded to the prior note about this disabled cache. I'm archiving it opening the area up to others. Of course, if you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.
Poughkeepsie's Diamond in the Rough
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(regular)
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This cache is an easy cache that shows off one of Poughkeepsie's under-appreciated parks.
The cache is an ammo box hidden at College Hill Park in the City of Poughkeepsie. Its original contents include a reporter's notebook for a log book, some Poughkeepsie Journal keychains, pens and pencils (made from reclaimed denim) -- and a travel bug named PoJo. With your help, PoJo, the unofficial mascot of the Poughkeepsie Journal, will travel from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to Poughkeepsie, Ark.
The park's entrance is on North Clinton Street. For the shortest walk, park at the monument at the top of the hill. For a steep, but short hike, park closer to the bottom and use the foot trails or driveway. Biking is also an option. The park is open year round from dawn to dusk.
This park is not heavily used, but it is used. Watch for "muggles" to keep this cache a secret.
This park includes a golf course, and there's no need to interrupt the golfers to find this cache.
Enjoy the views from College Hill. To the Northwest are the Shawangunks and beyond them the Catskills. To the south are the Hudson Highlands. To the East are the forested hills of Dutchess County. The Mid Hudson Bridge, as well as other Poughkeepsie landmarks like the spire of the Poughkeepsie Journal building, are also visible. It's a beautiful place to see the sun rise, or set.
There is a monument, the Dudley Memorial Pavilion, on the top of the hill that makes a nice resting spot. There are no tables, but plenty of space to spread a blanket for a picnic.
Please cache in trash out. This park can use some TLC.
Here are some details about the history of this park, from a 1996 Poughkeepsie Journal story by Matt Williams:
In 1836, educator Charles Bartlett first visited what was then called Adriance's Hill and remarked that it would be a beautiful site for a school.
Forty thousand dollars and one year later, a classical, Parthenon-inspired building - the home of the Poughkeepsie Collegiate School - stood at the hill's summit.
Bartlett died 20 years later and College Hill was never an educational facility again. It was auctioned to George Morgan, who tried - unsuccessfully - to turn the school building into a hotel.
In subsequent years, John Guy Vassar, of Vassar Brothers fame, bought the building in a failed attempt to turn it into an orphanage. After he died, it was purchased by William Smith, who donated the land to the city to be used as a park.
In 1917, the old school building was destroyed by fire.
In 1936, the present edifice was built where the school used to stand, thanks to a gift from Poughkeepsie banker and industrialist Guilford Dudley.
He left in his will $22,000 to the city to erect a monumental pavilion atop College Hill to be known as the Shelter, for the free use of the public.
Another improvement to the park was made around this time with the construction of the Alexander Caven Memorial Golf Course, which opened in 1933.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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