08/12/2024
2024 Columbus Days (the Big 5-0) Coin Search
The coin (1975 German 50 cent coin) was hidden in Gerrard Park in the bark of the 4th tree (from the south) in the arc of trees outside the fence of ballfield B.
Introduction
We invite all of Columbus to embark on a voyage through Columbus history as we celebrate our 50th Columbus Days of the modern era. We challenge you to untangle the clues as you tour through the tidbits of Columbus history. Journey deeply through our web of messages to find a special coin. The coin honors both the year 1975 when Columbus had its first modern Columbus Days Celebration and the 50th year of this special event. If you stick with it, you will find yourself in the midst of a myriad of true trails, dead-end excursions, and meandering across some interesting motifs. In the end, however, we are certain you will locate it.
embark= hidden in the bark of a tree
stick= baseball reference
meandering across some interesting motifs= not sure if anyone noticed, but we chalked some extra clues at Columbia Square location (Homeplate), 7th street (bat), and 12th street (dog (bark) and silver maple). Although they may have washed off a bit from the (unpredicted) rain.
Clue #1
The first stop on our time machine journey is 1975. It’s Monday, October 13th and everyone is giddy about the past weekend’s three-day, epic celebration called Discover Columbus Days. Events included a prayer breakfast attended by Governor J.J. Exon, sky-diving exhibition, midway on 12th street, many dances, and a Saturday morning parade with over 80 entries, Walt Behlen was crowned King Ferdinand #1. Ruth Levine was crowned Queen Isabella #1.
As we are about to leave 1975 and move on to another year, we can’t help but hear the rambling on the streets about an exciting plot that will be a wobbler location for a spinner of a time.
Wobbler= another name for a teeter-totter.
Spinner= another name for a merry-go-round.
Gerrard Park was under construction in 1975 and includes teeter-totters and a merry-go-round.
Clue #2
Ahem, before we reveal clue #2, we would like to acknowledge the questions out there regarding the hidden object in this most exciting hunt. We assure you no illegal counterfeiting was completed to obtain this most interesting coin. Not only is the hidden treasure relevant to our 50th Columbus Days Celebration theme, it also happens to share an important trait with its hiding place.
Next, our time machine takes us way back to 1859. We are visiting a very young Columbus and are truly fascinated with the intricacy with which the town is designed. We notice it includes a town center named Columbia Square and four parks located an equal distance from the town center.
As we ponder the dedication our forefathers had to a precise town center, and parks for the community to frolic in, we are thankful they formed such a strong bases for us and spear headed the current beauty of the city.
The first paragraph of this clue was directed to the hunters who had determined there were no 50-cent pieces minted in 1975 (the most obvious choice for the hidden coin) because of the preparations needed for the bi-centennial 50-cent piece minted in 1976. The trait it shared with the hiding place was “German.” Mr. Gerrard (of German descent) was an early Columbus citizen.
park= reference to Gerrard Park
bases= baseball reference
strong, spear= the meaning of the name Gerrard is “strong with spear”
Clue #3
Our time machine makes a quick stop in 1861, just two years into the future from our last stop. We notice something very interesting. There are many businesses that have cropped up on 7th street, but wait…this is a surprise, as Columbia Square is several blocks to the north. 7th street (which was a section of the Oregon trail from about the current 15th Ave to 33rd Ave.) attracted businesses due to the large number of pioneers & calvary units traveling on this busy passage and making short stops.
The founders may have alas been disappointed to learn it was a possible error to bank on being successful in arbitrarily defining the center field of Columbus. However, no concessions were made.
short stops, error= baseball references
bank= Mr. Gerrard was a banker
centerfield= location of the tree in which the coin was hidden
concessions= Gerrard Park has a concession stand (sorry if the “no” in front of concessions misled you, didn’t even think of that!)
Clue #4
We arrive in 1966 on August 14, and we notice our time machine has turned into an arc. We are greeted with a plague of frogs and a scene of watery destruction. We learn that over 634 houses and 24 businesses have been severely impacted by flooding. Nearly 1,000 Columbus families were evacuated from their homes. There are some rumors of high water as far north as Fairacres.
As we depart, we say a short prayer for the well-being of our 1966 Columbus friends in the midst of this disaster. Our prayer begins with a verse from Psalm 46 “…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...” We end with the verse “I say to the deep, Be dry! I will dry up your rivers.”
arc= the coin was hidden in a tree in the arc of trees around the fence of ballfield B
frogs= there is frog in the playground of Gerrard Park
Fairacres= another name for 27th street
“I say to the deep, Be dry! I will dry up your rivers.”= Bible verse from Isaiah 44:27. Gerrard park is located on 44th Ave and 27th St.
Clue #5
The next stop finds us in 1892. It’s Oct 21st and a special celebration day for this young community! It is the 400th Anniversary of Columbus discovering America and Columbus, NE is celebrating in grand style. People are referring to it as the greatest day in Columbus history. The town is absolutely shoulder to shoulder with people. We were able to get a glimpse of the parade which included many folks in colorful, historic costumes.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, along with their court, led the parade with many cultural assemblies involved. The leader of the German group rode his favorite horse, “Silberahorn IV”. The presidential proclamation was read by an esteemed Columbus banker, and many Columbus dignitaries were present. We are pretty sure we spotted the North brothers. A young lady on the street told us Queen Isabella’s crown is rumored to include 6 diamonds!
Silberahorn IV= Silberahorn is German for “silver maple”. The coin was hidden in the 4th silver maple in the arc of trees behind ballfield B.
esteemed Columbus banker= it was Mr. Gerrard that read the presidential proclamation.
6 diamonds= Gerrard Park has 6 ball diamonds
Clue #6
Our final stop is a dry and dirty one. It is 1933- we are knee high in grasshoppers and the dust bowl era has left its mark on our time machine. In addition to the bugs and the dust, there is excitement in the air. After working for many months, some forward-looking Columbus leaders have convinced the federal government to allocate $3 million from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to construct the power canal.
They didn’t d**k around with the power needs for the years ahead. This kind of over the fence, future-focused leadership is 10 smoots NW of power and points to a bright time ahead for Columbus.
d**k= reference to the pickle ball courts at Gerrard Park
over the fence= the hiding place was just over the fence of ballfield B
10 smoots NW of power= the coin was hidden in a tree about 18 yards (10 smoots) NW of the ballfield B light pole power source.
