Thanks to Kitch, mucluck, mrmnmikey, KC0GRN, Posen and Minnesota for helping with the cleanup at Crosby. As always, an interesting day at the park. HEH
The woman who is organizing this event has made some very nice commemorative geo-coins. They are $7.00 at the event only, and you can reserve them prior. If you're already registered, please visit
Fort Snelling for sale: History on the bluff Officials seek a buyer — and a vision — for a storied spring
BY DENNIS LIEN
Pioneer Press
It's one of the oldest historical sites in Minnesota. But that doesn't mean folks are lining up to own it.
A decade after the federal government closed the U.S. Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center, the 27.3-acre parcel between the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport could get a new owner.
The government wants to unload the land, once part of historic Fort Snelling. But it's being selective about who should get it. So far, only nonfederal government agencies, Indian tribes or colleges or universities need apply. If none steps forward, the land could wind up in private hands.
"So far, (interest) has been really silent,'' said Kim Berns, project manager for the National Park Service, which recently completed a draft environmental impact statement for the property. The Park Service will hold open houses today and Tuesday at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to get feedback on the document.
"We want to hear substantive comments,'' Berns said. "Where did we go wrong in our analysis, if we did? Did we not consider an impact? Is there a group out there we should talk to?''
In the impact statement, the Park Service envisions several uses for the land — an open space or park, an interpretive or history center, and a training center or office park. The draft environmental impact statement does not identify a preference.
"It's a piece of hidden property that no one knows about … attached to one of the most important historical sites in the state,'' said John Anfinson, a historian for the Park Service.
Set on a bluff near the Minneapolis city limits, the site was important to early settlers. In 1820, soldiers at what would be Fort Snelling began getting their water from a spring, called Camp Coldwater Spring, that still flows from the property's limestone cliffs. In addition, one of the region's earliest settlements was located there.
In recent years, several Indian tribes also have contended the area and spring are important to their cultural history, but the Park Service hasn't established those ties directly to the spring.
A spokesman for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community declined comment recently on the tribe's interest in the property. But several years ago, it suggested an American Indian interpretive center in one of the buildings and that the entire parcel be protected as historic property.
In a letter to the Park Service earlier this year, the tribe and the Prairie Island Indian Community expressed interest. "The Communities conditionally support a mix of cultural, educational, and recreational uses of the Fort Snelling Properties,'' their statement said.
As many as 250 people worked at the Bureau of Mines campus until the federal government closed it in 1996 as part of a national restructuring effort. Scientists there researched an array of health and safety concerns for mine workers.
James Olson, a former deputy research director for the local bureau who helped close the center, called it an idyllic place to work. "It was a good home for us,'' Olson said. "It was a nice, quiet campus for a research center.''
Afterward, the property attracted some interest. "But when you got into the final deal … people would always draw back,'' Olson said.
Six years ago, the Metropolitan Airports Commission voted to buy the land for $6 million but backed off after the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. Most of the land would have been preserved for open space, wildlife habitat and other scenic and recreational purposes.
Whatever happens to it, Olson said there likely won't be any new uses for the property's 11 buildings. "The buildings have been let go for quite some time, and I just don't think it's feasible that anyone would rehab those things,'' Olson said.
Berns agreed the buildings are deteriorating rapidly, adding it would cost almost $2 million to raze them. The property, which carries three types of airport zoning restrictions, has not been appraised recently, she added.
"They realize they're not getting something for free,'' said Anfinson, speculating on the lack of interest so far. "That's the main thing holding parties back.''
After the Park Service gets its responses, it plans to go ahead with the environmental impact statement, which will take at least another year.
"Then, the Department of the Interior will make a decision on what alternative and who it goes to or what happens to the property,'' Berns said.
While the buildings are in disrepair, Camp Coldwater Spring is going stronger than it has in decades, according to Olson. Although not considered drinkable, the water emerges from the base of a limestone springhouse, settles into a small pond, and then flows under a road to a wetland and into the Mississippi River.
"It's certainly been quite active lately,'' Olson said of the spring. "It seems to have been getting more flow in the last several years.''
Post #37 works but is choppy for me. Probably because I have a slow processor. 38 is still the boob pic. Is anyone else missing the reply button in here?
What's a decent handheld gps for someone who is relatively new to geocaching? It would be nice if it was Bluetooth enabled so I could use it with my laptop if I wanted to.
I don't know about bluetooth, I can't recall any that are....but most will connect to computer via USB - Garmin legend is good lower cost option Garmin 60C is better but costs more...or you can go with the Magellan...Posen has the Magellan 500 he won, he is selling it cheap, thats what I have and I like it.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCJ6BH
and say "Hell yeah, I'll be there." or "Sorry, I have to do the laundry." WHATEVER ...
If you're not registered, it's quick, easy and free.
That's what I was thinking too Ian :frown:
The access list just shows you and I and others can read only.
BY DENNIS LIEN
Pioneer Press
It's one of the oldest historical sites in Minnesota. But that doesn't mean folks are lining up to own it.
A decade after the federal government closed the U.S. Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center, the 27.3-acre parcel between the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport could get a new owner.
The government wants to unload the land, once part of historic Fort Snelling. But it's being selective about who should get it. So far, only nonfederal government agencies, Indian tribes or colleges or universities need apply. If none steps forward, the land could wind up in private hands.
"So far, (interest) has been really silent,'' said Kim Berns, project manager for the National Park Service, which recently completed a draft environmental impact statement for the property. The Park Service will hold open houses today and Tuesday at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to get feedback on the document.
"We want to hear substantive comments,'' Berns said. "Where did we go wrong in our analysis, if we did? Did we not consider an impact? Is there a group out there we should talk to?''
In the impact statement, the Park Service envisions several uses for the land — an open space or park, an interpretive or history center, and a training center or office park. The draft environmental impact statement does not identify a preference.
"It's a piece of hidden property that no one knows about … attached to one of the most important historical sites in the state,'' said John Anfinson, a historian for the Park Service.
Set on a bluff near the Minneapolis city limits, the site was important to early settlers. In 1820, soldiers at what would be Fort Snelling began getting their water from a spring, called Camp Coldwater Spring, that still flows from the property's limestone cliffs. In addition, one of the region's earliest settlements was located there.
In recent years, several Indian tribes also have contended the area and spring are important to their cultural history, but the Park Service hasn't established those ties directly to the spring.
A spokesman for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community declined comment recently on the tribe's interest in the property. But several years ago, it suggested an American Indian interpretive center in one of the buildings and that the entire parcel be protected as historic property.
In a letter to the Park Service earlier this year, the tribe and the Prairie Island Indian Community expressed interest. "The Communities conditionally support a mix of cultural, educational, and recreational uses of the Fort Snelling Properties,'' their statement said.
As many as 250 people worked at the Bureau of Mines campus until the federal government closed it in 1996 as part of a national restructuring effort. Scientists there researched an array of health and safety concerns for mine workers.
James Olson, a former deputy research director for the local bureau who helped close the center, called it an idyllic place to work. "It was a good home for us,'' Olson said. "It was a nice, quiet campus for a research center.''
Afterward, the property attracted some interest. "But when you got into the final deal … people would always draw back,'' Olson said.
Six years ago, the Metropolitan Airports Commission voted to buy the land for $6 million but backed off after the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. Most of the land would have been preserved for open space, wildlife habitat and other scenic and recreational purposes.
Whatever happens to it, Olson said there likely won't be any new uses for the property's 11 buildings. "The buildings have been let go for quite some time, and I just don't think it's feasible that anyone would rehab those things,'' Olson said.
Berns agreed the buildings are deteriorating rapidly, adding it would cost almost $2 million to raze them. The property, which carries three types of airport zoning restrictions, has not been appraised recently, she added.
"They realize they're not getting something for free,'' said Anfinson, speculating on the lack of interest so far. "That's the main thing holding parties back.''
After the Park Service gets its responses, it plans to go ahead with the environmental impact statement, which will take at least another year.
"Then, the Department of the Interior will make a decision on what alternative and who it goes to or what happens to the property,'' Berns said.
While the buildings are in disrepair, Camp Coldwater Spring is going stronger than it has in decades, according to Olson. Although not considered drinkable, the water emerges from the base of a limestone springhouse, settles into a small pond, and then flows under a road to a wetland and into the Mississippi River.
"It's certainly been quite active lately,'' Olson said of the spring. "It seems to have been getting more flow in the last several years.''
Dennis Lien can be reached at dlien@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5588.
if you go
What: Open house for comments and questions about Camp Coldwater Spring
When: 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today and Tuesday
Where: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Bloomington.
For more information: Call 651-290-4160 for directions.
Written comments must be postmarked by Oct. 24.
April Event
I think we may be up to 60 people tomorrow. Come on out and join the fun:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cece92f9-f1fa-4af1-9dc3-18195c9ef369
Yeah, we got a thing ...
She drinks, and I get headaches.
and the secret link at the top - :smile:
January 19, 2008
Is that the event that was at Cherokee last year?
probably closer to 2 or so though
2 things- cluemasters video isnt linked and the dates are messed up- there isnt a january 25th. believe me, I noticed!
Good eye on the date and link not working.
does that work? the other one works fine for me?
??
??
nice... brings me right back to that time...
heh