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Pipe Spring National Monument Virtual Cache

Hidden : 6/24/2002
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Vistor Centre: Few people visit Pipe Spring, not surprisingly as the other National Parks nearby are much more exciting. For those passing along nearby AZ 389 though, the fort is worth a diversion for an hour or so. First stop should be the visitor centre, where guests are encouraged to watch a 10 minute video that explains the history of the area. The staff are friendly but give the impression they would welcome a more prestigious posting elsewhere.

The following information is from the americansouthwest.net web site.

History: A reliable water source is a rare feature in this generally dry and rather barren country, but early Mormon settlers found such a supply in the mid nineteenth century, about 15 km from the Utah/Arizona border on land which now forms part of the Kaibab-Paiute Indian Reservation. Over the next few decades the spring became the focal point for various buildings and eventually a small fort (named Winsor Castle after its constructor, one A.P. Winsor), intended to protect the spring and neighbouring cattle grazing lands against Navajo Indian raids from the south, although this threat never materialised. Now, the fort, outbuildings, and various agricultural relics are preserved and serve as an interesting illustration of pioneer life

The Gardens: A path leads through gardens and past areas of crops to the fort and to several other buildings and exhibits. These include a blacksmiths shop, poultry and riding sheds, two ponds with resident geese, an orchard, old wagons, a corral and riding equipment. Other animals include Texas longhorn cattle, chickens and horses. The spring itself is covered by the fort; the water runs underground through pipes and across one room in an open trough before emerging to supply the ponds.

The Fort: Regular half hour guided tours are offered through the rooms in the fort, which are all fully furnished with period fixtures and fittings. The guides seem commendably enthusiastic despite presumably giving the same tour several times each day. There are about 10 main rooms on 2 levels, in 2 sections with doors and windows facing inwards to a central courtyard, all enclosed by a high wall. The defensive capabilities were never tested, and the fort was instead used as a ranch and later as a private residence, before the collection was created a National Monument in 1923.

To recieve credit for this cache you need to locate the stove and take a picture of you and your gps.

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