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Cold Spring Series LbNA #64123

Owner:MWHEART
Plant date:Mar 3, 2013
Location: State Game Lands 211
City:Fort Indiantown Gap
County:Lebanon
State:Pennsylvania
Boxes:5
Found by: Anne of Green Gables (5)
Last found:Oct 25, 2014
Status:FFF
Last edited:Mar 3, 2013
This series is dedicated to the Cold Spring Resort that was constructed by the Dauphin and Susquehanna Coal Company in 1850. The remains of the eighty acre site are located in Lebanon County near Fort Indiantown Gap on State Game Lands 211. A four-wheel drive vehicle or a vehicle that does not sit low to the ground is highly recommended to travel to this location. Also, please be aware of hunting seasons.

The interest for developing this area was due to the virtuous spring, which was believed to be a “splendid fountain of pure water,” yielding 130 gallons per minute and the coldest in the state at 48 degrees. The D & S Coal Company built the summer resort, which included a hotel, bathhouse, a bowling alley, a caretakers house and a post office. People either traveled here over the mountain by horse and carriage or by train on the railroad located just north of the hotel.

Cold Spring went through a lot of changes over the next 30 years. Ownership changed hands several times. In the mid 1860’s, Israel Brandt, one of the blue eyed six who was hung for conspiracy in 1879, even operated the hotel. During that time, the hotel lost its reputation as a “high quality establishment.” In 1880, an entire new hotel was added and could now accommodate 100 guests and was first class throughout. The hotel operated until 1900 when it was destroyed by fire. After this, the property was purchased by a bottling company. Later the Lancaster YMCA moved into the site and Camp Shand was created along with many more changes. In 1945, the Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the Cold Spring Site. The picture shows how the site looked.

Start your journey by traveling north of Fort Indiantown Gap on Route 443. Turn onto McLean Road and you will soon pass FTIG Ammo Pt. Continue until you come to a ’Y’ in the paved road, bearing to the right you will now be on Cold Spring Road. The paved road ends at the bottom of the mountain, where you will continue straight on the dirt road to the top. When you reach the top, go straight through a gate down the other side. This will be the only gate you go through. From this point on, it is recommended that you use four wheel drive. Continue down the other side into Stoney Valley, crossing Stoney Creek bridge until you come to a gate and parking area. Park and walk to the north gate.




Lotell Post Office
Walk into the woods on the trail until you come to a bend in the trail where you will see foundations. Facing up the mountain, look to your right and you will see steps leading to what was the caretakers house. From the steps, directly north will be a large moss covered log on the ground. Lotell Post Office is under a SPOR. Please re-hide well.

Bowling Alley
Behind the caretakers house you will find a low concrete wall that was part of the bowling alley foundation. Follow the wall to its end and look for a tree with a SPOR. Here is where you will find Bowling Alley. Please re-hide well.

Cold Spring Station
Continue up the trail until you reach the railroad. From the center of the intersection take a reading of 200 degrees. Look for a SPOR among the boulders to find Cold Spring Station. Please re-hide well

Cold Spring Hotel
Now, venture back down the trail and turn right at the caretaker house steps. Follow the trail with the wall to your right. Look for a place where a set of steps once stood and walk toward the concrete retaining wall. Walk to your left and you will see the moss covered brick steps to the original hotel. After walking left around the foundation you will see a moss covered SPOR, which hides Cold Spring Hotel. Please re-hide well.

Cold Spring
After returning to the trail in front of the retaining walls, look down the hill for a wide path. Take this path, once known as Shady Avenue until you reach a set of steps leading to the Cold Spring. From the spring, look for a boulder 20 steps away at 60 degrees. Under a SPOR is where you will find your treasure. Please re-hide well.

Hope you enjoyed the Cold Spring Series. You can retrace your steps back to your vehicle or you can look for a trail near the tree with an orange mark which will also lead you back to the parking area. Depending on the time of year, this trail may be hard to find.