------------------------------*All Limited Edition Geocoins Have Been Awarded*------------------------------
***Please DO NOT REMOVE first stage, just gently pull down pickle tab down for info***
This cache is placed as part of the
Crystal Lake 100-Years Geocoin Challenge created to celebrate Crystal Lake's centennial anniversary of incorporation (1914-2014). The Challenge will take you throughout the city where you will discover twelve (12) hidden caches and explore some Crystal Lake history along the way. Be one of the first 250 geocachers* to complete the Challenge and receive a limited edition trackable CL100Years Geocoin.
The Crystal Lake 100-Years Geocoin Challenge Passport contains instructions, a list of the geocaches, and designated areas for recording the code words you discover in each cache. You can print your Passport
HERE or pick one up in the specially marked box located just outside the front entrance to Crystal Lake City Hall at 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
Here are the 12 caches:
GC4XNGQ,
GC4Y2WH,
GC4XM0N,
GC4Y96C,
GC4XKNN,
GC4XK2V,
GC4ZFZM,
GC4XTYZ,
GC4XPNZ,
GC4ZAKQ,
GC4XPM5,
GC4XQQY
*limit one per registered geocaching account/household please
------------------------------code words are located on inside cover of logbooks------------------------------
The Crystal Lake Pickling and Preserving Works sprang up a few years following the Great Chicago fire of 1871. Wm. Archdeacon operated an extensive pickle business in Chicago that had been wiped out by the fire. F.A. Frisbie, who operated a small but successful pickle business in Crystal Lake, invited Mr Archdeacon to meet with businessmen and farmers to discuss building up a larger business.
The business fronted Walkup Avenue on both sides of the tracks and back toward what is now Woodstock Street and was once the largest pickle factory and preserving works in the country. It flourished, at first, with 55,000 bushels of pickles being sold to the plant each of the first two seasons and employing upwards of 200 men. More than 40 coopers were employed making barrels. In addition to putting up pickles, farmers provided cabbages which were made into sauerkraut.
Poor business decisions led to the company's failure only after a few years. A contributing factor was also believed to be the numerous pickle factories that were being built in neighboring communities such as Woodstock, McHenry, Cary and Marengo following the success of the Crystal Lake plant. At one time, there were 13 pickle stations and factories in McHenry County. They produced so many pickles that they were forced to sell them below cost.
In 1880, Mons Peterson invested in 129 acres of the failed factory's real estate holdings. He revived the business and it thrived. It developed a capacity of 20,000 bushels of pickles and 26 tanks, one with a 1,200 bushel capacity. About 30 acres of pickles were picked each year. Later to this was added a clover drying factory. Clover heads were dried and shipped to Chicago to be converted into clover tea and extract.
- Information above compiled from 1936 Crystal Lake Herald Centennial Edition & Crystal Lake Illinois: A Pictorial History, 1986
Image provided by Crystal Lake Historical Society
Important Information:
UPDATE AS OF 9/1/20: Both stages have been relocated to new locations a short distance away. Posted coords will take you to the first stage. Located overhead - DO NOT REMOVE...just pull bottom tab down & release gently. You'll then have what you need to find the final. The final cache location is just a short walk from the first stage. Stealth may be required.
Placed with permission from the City of Crystal Lake.