Booneton Iron Works Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Cache is near the ruins of the old Booneton ironworks. The area has a rich iron industry history. The first ironworks were established in the town of Boonetown, along the Rockaway River about a mile east of the current town of Boonton in the mid 1700's. These ironworks aided the colonial war effort during the American Revolution.
By the early 1800's the ironworks were in decline. Efforts to revive the facility were abandoned when it was learned that the Morris Canal was to be constructed a mile away, too far to help the ironworks.
With the opening of Morris Canal in 1831 near Booneton Falls, the site became an ideal one for industry. The falls to provide energy and the canal for accessible shipping. With this in mind the New Jersey Iron Company was formed to build an ironworks between the falls and canal. With the ironworks, the town of Booneton Falls sprung up around it to house workers and was soon a thriving town. The ironworks remained in operation until 1873 when the depression in that year caused it to shut its doors.
Some time after the depression of 1873 the ironworks were re-opened, but business was slow and the ironworks eventually closed for good. The actual date is uncertain. One source says in 1880 and another says 1911..
One thing is certain, a fire destroyed the complex in the early 1900's. Evidence of a huge fire is all around the area, with large clumps of melted material.
The original town of Boonetown was eventually abandoned when the ironworks closed and now lies under the Jersey City Reservoir and Booneton Falls eventually dropped the 'e' and the 'falls' from its name.
After finding the cache, take the time to explore the area around it. There are many interesting ruins. And if you have time, check out my nearby Amazing Grace cache. It is a short multi that highlights other vestiges of Boonton's industrial past.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
evtug ghaary (snpvat gurz), gb evtug nobhg jnvfg uvtu nf lbh ragre.