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1964 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on

Found in Lincoln Park near Beaver Lake on the Eastern boundary between Saint Paul and Maplewood by Mrs. Sidney Hansen and Mary Jane Cepress. It took the pair 11 clues to find the medallion.

Hunt Information
Dates
Scheduled Dates
Saturday, January 25, 1964
Find Date
Friday, January 31, 1964
Finders
Name
Mrs. Sidney Hansen
Name
Mary Jane Cepress
Prize
Maximum Prize
$2500
Awarded Prize
$2500
Location
General Location
Beaver Lake Park
Pinpointed Location
Near the intersection of Edgewater Blvd. and Geranium Avenue
Concealer
A gold colored brick

44.9767, -93.0064

Clues
Clue 1
Published Date
Saturday, January 25, 1964, 6:00 PM

The treasure is on open ground
Within city limits to be found
Only on public property stay
From private ownership keep away

The official meaning of the clue.

"Open ground," "city limits" and "public property" placed the medallion within those bounds.

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Clue 2
Published Date
Sunday, January 26, 1964, 6:00 PM

The sun rises over our Carnival scene
With safety a part of the festive theme.
Hunting a treasure again is the score
In this new year of sixty four.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Sun rises," and "safety a part," pointed to the east side and meant that no danger was involved in the search.

Our Thoughts

The sun may rise over the East Side, but does it really set on the West Side?

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Clue 3
Published Date
Sunday, January 26, 1964, 6:00 PM

Families in homes share this winter's delight
In the distance surrounding the treasure site.
Have heavy boots and wraps quite handy.
A pocket of treats might just be dandy.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Families in homes" and "in the distance" indicated that homes were clearly visible on Edgewater Blvd., Maryland and McKnight Rd. "Heavy boots" pointed to rough ground where boots should be worn.

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Clue 4
Published Date
Monday, January 27, 1964, 6:00 PM

Don't be a square or Don't be a hood,
Use common sense and Just be good.
To dig a little be prepared
From all exertion don't be spared.

The official meaning of the clue.

"To dig" revealed that the treasure was buried beneath the snow.

Our Thoughts

If we received a clue like this today we'd focus on "hood" as in staying out of the hood.

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Clue 5
Published Date
Monday, January 27, 1964, 6:00 PM

All beauties of season seem here to assemble,
Combined like a travel ad to resemble.
Snow with a sparkle, air with a sting.
A gold brick discovered, treasure will bring.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Snow with a sparkle" meant the treasure was hidden under the snow. "A gold brick" indicated the medallion was fastened to a light-tan colored brick.

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Clue 6
Published Date
Tuesday, January 28, 1964, 6:00 PM

On waters' edge is a place for skating,
And a good carnival spirit creating.
But a picnic lunch from a bench in the park,
On a night below zero is more than a lark.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Water's edge," "place for skating," "picnic lunch," and "bench in the park" keyed the medallion to Edgewater boulevard as the street adjacent to the site, and hinted that children have small skating rinks on Beaver Lake. The Ramsey County picnic grounds is nearby.

Our Thoughts

Nowadays we'd get this clue and stay as far away from Edgewater as we could.

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Clue 7
Published Date
Tuesday, January 28, 1964, 6:00 PM

Balls and parks and lakes play a part;
With a famous name an addition will start.
From the treasure site by over a mile
Are high red lights that shine in style.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Balls and parks," indicated the ball park west of the site; "lakes" again pointed to Beaver Lake; "over a mile" and "high red lights" meant six red airplane beacons on top of the 3M building, visible at night; and "famous name an addition" meant the Lincoln Park addition.

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Clue 8
Published Date
Wednesday, January 29, 1964, 6:00 PM

Clues in pairs are found in three places.
Two posts of iron a double lane faces.
Two round towers, northwest and southeast,
Seen in the distance helps most, not least.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Two posts of iron" and "double lane faces" referred to two iron stakes (former sign posts) on the east side of Edgewater Boulevard, which is a double lane road. "Two round towers" meant the water towers in view to the southeast and northwest.

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Clue 9
Published Date
Wednesday, January 29, 1964, 6:00 PM

Far south and east from the treasure is seen
A roof that slants with a particular lean.
To entertain and amuse by this structure of red,
For summer diversion here are we led.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Roof that slants", "entertain" and "structure of red" all indicated the frame of the screen of the Minnehaha drive-in theater, visible from the site.

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Clue 10
Published Date
Thursday, January 30, 1964, 6:00 PM

"Let George do it" we often hear,
But "leave it to Beaver" is a good steer.
Ho, ho, ho, get out on the run,
This jolly hunt has just begun.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Leave it to Beaver" pinpointed Beaver Lake.

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Clue 11
Published Date
Thursday, January 30, 1964, 6:00 PM

Still by hook, or by air, or by water
This case may be solved by son or by daughter.
With one, one, six, five, it'll mark off the course.
Search to the northeast start from the south.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Still and water," "one, one, six five" and northeast narrowed it down to northeast of 1165 Edgewater Blvd. near Stillwater Ave.

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Clue 12

Between flower-named streets on a boulevard's edge,
A passage is found that drains this ledge.
Northeast from this point walk 170 paces,
On count of 50 oak clumps one faces.

The official meaning of the clue.

Pointed out "flower-named streets" such as Geranium and Rose nearby. "Boulevard's ledge," "passage," "that drains this ledge," "northeast from this point," "walk 170 paces" and "on count of 50 oak clumps one faces" meant to start the search on the east side of Edgewater Blvd., from a culvert that drains higher area to the west. The treasure was placed 170 paces to the northeast. From there pace off 50 steps and a clump of small oak trees was visible.

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Clue 13

On Edgewater Boulevard between Geranium and Rose
A culvert appears, from this take your pose.
Walk 170 paces in an easterly direction.
Pass oak stump and to guide your selection
A brick in the snow, this is fun!
Lock, stock and barrel the treasure is won!

The official meaning of the clue.

This would have been a dead giveaway placing searchers at the exact site of the treasure.

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