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2013 LaCrosse Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on

The 2013 Oktoberfest Medallion:

  • is always located within the La Crosse city limits
  • is never buried in the ground
  • is always on publicly-accessible property
  • is accessible 24 hours, BUT posted hours should be observed
  • fits in the palm of a hand
  • may be camouflaged

Please be respectful of public and private property and your fellow medallion hunters.

Prizes awaiting the person finding the medallion this year are gift certificates, Oktoberfest merchandise, a cash prize and a miniature replica of the medallion, compliments of Satori Arts.

To claim the prize package, the medallion finder must be wearing a 2013 Oktoberfest USA button at the time they present the medallion at the Oktoberfest office. The back side of the medallion includes a contact name and number to report that it has been found.

Hunt Information
Dates
Scheduled Dates
Monday, September 16, 2013
Find Date
Friday, September 20, 2013
Finders
Name
Willie Bittner
Hometown
LaCrosse
Name
Kerry Pischke
Hometown
LaCrosse
Prize
Maximum Prize
$500+gifts
Awarded Prize
$500+gifts
Location
General Location
Grandad Bluff
Pinpointed Location
Near the restrooms
Concealer
Under a leaf

43.812463, -91.210921

Clues
Clue 1
Published Date
Sunday, September 15, 2013, 7:00 PM
Leaves of green turning to a yellow and orange hue,
The breezes of summer begin taking their northern cue;
Celebrating Generations is this year’s Oktoberfest theme,
Head out for the hunt early so you’re not swimming upstream.
The official meaning of the clue.

The hunt has officially begun. An area known for trees and where
there’s always a breeze will lead you to the site. Also, images of
swimming and the river will help in the pursuit.

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Clue 2
Published Date
Monday, September 16, 2013, 7:00 PM

The big winds won’t blow here, they say,
Let’s hope the rivers won’t lead you astray;
The Mississippi, Black and La Crosse easily in view,
Read carefully so you drift less as you pursue.

The official meaning of the clue.

Again, the wind is a key to the site, as is the Driftless area. The
three major rivers in La Crosse — where legend has it no b

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Clue 3
Published Date
Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 7:00 PM

Look attentively and you’re apt to see an old, decrepit path,
Despite its importance little remains in the aftermath;
A swingless thruway became the modern-day route,
Decades later gained another just to help out.

The official meaning of the clue.

A view of the area where the old swing Bridge that connected
Pettibone Park and the city shoreline is helpful in the search. Both
the Cass Street bridge and the new bridge over the Mississippi
River, built decades later, are prominent as you look from the site.

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Clue 4
Published Date
Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 7:00 PM

His vision during four-plus decades on the city board,
helped plow through and bridge traffic away and toward;
Today, part of the “reserve” does much the same,
A rolling view that welcomes travelers and bears his name.

The official meaning of the clue.

City Council member William P. Roellig, who founded the La Crosse Plow
Co., was a key player in getting a new bridge built across the Mississippi
River. A small, triangular park at Hwy 16 and La Crosse Street, an
entrance to Hixon Forest reserve was named for him. These “visions” can
be seen from the site, along with a “rolling view.”
 

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Clue 5
Published Date
Thursday, September 19, 2013, 7:00 PM

He oversaw the platting of an addition totaling one-four-oh,
The foundations of his homes came from the limestone chateau;
Looking north, neglected land became a final resting place of honor,
A lasting tribute to friends, military heros and neighbors of yore.

The official meaning of the clue.

William M. Crowley platted a 140-lot expansion of the city,
adjacent to Roellig Park. Also nearby is Oak Grove Cemetery.
The areas are overseen from the site of the medallion’s location.
Reference to the limestone chateau points to Grandad Bluff.

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Clue 6

Along with pioneers like Gund, Easton and Colman,
The great preservation of city green began;
A native of the Green Mountain State,
Settled in La Crosse and became great.

The official meaning of the clue.

Gideon Hixon, among the city’s four founding park board
members, and his wife, Ellen, were key players in the area of the
medallion’s location.

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Clue 7

Every town has one it was thought,
So, a name change in the ’20s was sought;
Honoring the first mayor or a prominent pioneer was an idea,
Keeping it main-stream ended the panacea.

The official meaning of the clue.

Discussion of changing the name of Main Street happened in the
1920s. Some options were Stoddard Avenue and Hixon Avenue.
Main Street is a key in getting to the medallion location, along with
being in view from the site.

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Clue 8

Built by a family as more than just a path,
It gave them an uphill edge in the aftermath;
During the next century it suffered numerous washouts,
Eventually became a scenic byway after various political fallouts.

The official meaning of the clue.

The Bliss Family built the first road up Grandad Bluff, allowing
them and others access to the area. Over the years, local
municipalities have fought over who should pay for the cost of
maintaining the road. The road has been plagued by washouts
and erosion, and was recently named a state Scenic Byway to
receive maintenance funding.

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Clue 9

Nearly turned into a pile of rocks and a dusty blur,
For more than a century now an official city moniker;
Some called it a hill or even a mountain — but to most it’s a bluff,
The area is now a $1.4 million diamond in the rough.

The official meaning of the clue.

Grandad Bluff nearly became another quarry until the Hixon family
took ownership of the area with support from others and
eventually donated it to the city. The park recently had a $1.4
million renovation.

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Clue 10

Don’t be early or late for Canadian wild rye and other native plant,
Room for rest, relief and refreshment — but not to camp;
With all the clues the site should be coming into full view,
Between rock and other hard limestone you’ll find your due.

The official meaning of the clue.

The clues detailing many highlights from views from Grandad Bluff
should lead you to the main park area with the posted times of 6
a.m.-10:30 p.m. You’ll find the medallion in limestone rocks in the
new wall area next to the restroom area with bubbler, amid the
native plants.

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