alphsigm

If you follow JFK Drive towards the McKinley Monument, it takes you to the panhandle. That’s where “Giant pole/ Giant step/ To the place/ The casque is kept” would come in, but I don’t have any theories as to what those could refer to. Perhaps the giant pole is the panhandle itself?

Interesting ideas for sure. I’m still leaning towards an I1/V6 pairing, but just a couple thoughts on yours:
-If you accept the idea that the Image 1 woman’s dress is a map of Golden Gate Park, it looks like the pearl itself would be located in the Panhandle section of the park. Wondering if this could somehow actually indicate the dig site?
-Judging by a few online image searches, the McKinley monument in GGP’s Panhandle looks like it has a face engraved in profile. Unsure if this could somehow be an “Image match” for the man’s profile ticked into the rocks of Image 1.

JamesV

-If you accept the idea that the Image 1 woman’s dress is a map of Golden Gate Park, it looks like the pearl itself would be located in the Panhandle section of the park. Wondering if this could somehow actually indicate the dig site?

seriously? if the top part of the dress panel is not included as part of the map of ggpark, then the dress is basically not a match for golden gate park
if it is included, then therefore the location of the pearl in the image would be outside of golden gate park across the Great Highway
which would locate it on the beach.
how do you even get the panhandle out of that? its on the other end of golden gate park.

Welcome to the search. I like your new ideas and take on the verse. Good luck in the park and finding additional clues. Get ready for lots of backlash from lots of folks who”know your wrong'”but don’t have the casque to prove it. Stay diligent, you’ll find it. Adam

Throwing my ideas out there so people can say how silly they are-
“At stone wall’s door” – I think it’s been suggested before, but there’s a stone wall with a gate in front of the Conservatory of Flowers that looks like the gate in the mountain in the image
https://goo.gl/maps/dGevJoR9grq
. Also, the path in front of gate kind of looks like her collar. If you are facing the gate with the Conservatory of Flowers behind you, the flower clock is behind you to the left, just like the flower + clock on the table is in the lower left hand side of the painting.
“The air smells sweet” – Flowers at the Conservatory of Flowers.
“Not far away/ High posts are three” – Could be the Sutro Tower, but the three posts on top of the Conservatory of Flowers is closer.
“Education and Justice/ For all to see” – Near the Conservatory of Flowers there’s a James Garfield Monument
https://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/g … -2012.html
. James Garfield was an educator before he was a president, and the figure at the bottom of the monument is Columbia, which is a personification of the United States (and Justice). Also the monument is on a small hill and is adjacent to JFK drive, one of the main thoroughfares of the park so it’s there for all to see. You can see the gate, the conservatory, and the monument from the same spot.
“Sounds from the sky/ Near ace is high” – Don’t have an explanation for this, but sounds from the sky could be bullets (explain this later) or the hippies playing music in the panhandle.
“Running north, but first across” – Could be JFK Drive, it’s the only street to run all the way east-west across the park, and it turns north abruptly before exiting the park and connecting with the Great Highway.
“In jewel’s direction/ Is an object/ Of Twain’s attention” – It’s been suggested before, but I think this might be the William McKinley monument
https://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/g … 20111.html
. He was the attention of one of Twain’s books. Also, if you look at the monument, the figure on top isn’t even McKinley, it’s Columbia, which is the same figure from the Garfield Monument. Additionally, McKinley, Garfield, and JFK are three of the four presidents who have been assassinated (sounds from the sky/bullets). The remaining president who was assassinated, Lincoln, incidentally also has a connection to GGP. Lincoln Way is the southern boundary street for the park.
If you follow JFK Drive towards the McKinley Monument, it takes you to the panhandle. That’s where “Giant pole/ Giant step/ To the place/ The casque is kept” would come in, but I don’t have any theories as to what those could refer to. Perhaps the giant pole is the panhandle itself?

AlaskaCasqueFinder

Welcome to the search. I like your new ideas and take on the verse. Good luck in the park and finding additional clues. Get ready for lots of backlash from lots of folks who”know your wrong'”but don’t have the casque to prove it. Stay diligent, you’ll find it. Adam

Such true words.

maltedfalcon

how do you even get the panhandle out of that? its on the other end of golden gate park.

MF, with the way I was viewing Image 1 as a possible Golden Gate Park / San Francisco map overlay, I’d positioned the neckline in the woman’s dress (between the G and h) on the east end of the park, right around Stanyan Street.
Were you looking at this one from another angle?

Goonie68

Update: Image wall behind the Gal, Chalk Board, Chalk Boards are made out of Slate (stone) Maritime Museum entrance and walls are made out of Slate (stone) “At stone wall’s door”……
https://ibb.co/JHNVG8j
https://ibb.co/vsdF28H

Good stuff Goonie! BTW I can see a fish up top in that mural that is a duplicate of the fish in the image. Also if that is your starting point do you have an end point in mind? Thanks for the update

Rviewer1

What’s up with the SF group. This place has gone silent. Can we get some updates on what people are working on. I and another member on this forum are going to be doing a little poking around in the GGP/Cliff House area towards the end of June. Hopefully we will have some good news.
I think Matt is still up at TLOH? Any updates. I think Goldengate is on strawberry hill somewhere by the Chinese pavilion?
Let’s get some updates from those who have not thrown in the towel. Let’s get some synergy going!
For those who have come up with a solution that makes digging not an alternative. I would urge them to try an alternate solution. Give it a go. Adapt! I thought some of my earlier solutions were 99.9 percent correct but found that the area had been dug up after 1982. So I moved on and was surprised that my new solution was even better than the prior one.

I got some people to dig at Verdi in April after the Dr Gay fiasco. Dug directly in line with the pole on the statue. Came up zeros. Seemed like a good idea but nothing resulted. Was well dug and documented. Posted on the wiki and a link on this board with solution and photos of dig. I am happy to say it’s not there.
There was another dig done at Verdi, behind the statue, also came up negative.
The diggers identified another possible site, but I haven’t heard back from them as to whether or not they have gone back. Highly doubtful they did. May be worth considering in the future.
My main sticking point at this time with image 1 is the 4 symbols across the top of the dress- circle, squares and triangle. I feel they might do a final refinement, and because we don’t understand them, we didn’t get to the right location.
XdM

“And this book was written by a man wearing a classically eighteenth century curly wig. Hmm… Who do we know with curly hair?””
The Black curry hair can and the dark leaf (off the table) could be a hint to the word “ace” The black leaf, could suggest a spade or in this case the ace of spade. If you look up the history behind the ace of spade very interesting…it was called “Old Fizzle” The word Fizzle meaning “head of hair or curl” the Gal has black curly hair. Old Fizzle was a Duty stamp, a tax, this would give the suggestion of currency associated with the stamp or the Ace of spade. The Ace is the top card (1) in brand new deck of cards, so this would make it Higher then the others, the ace is also associated with the number 1, the square with dot , a pip also the number 1 relation, the ace also a nickname for the dollar bill, the dollar could of been the highest currency in the world in 1980’s. Something to think about……

I just visited San Francisco
We went to Ghiradelli Square
I didn’t smell anything

catherwood

I wouldn’t use “Bay Area in general” as a theme at all. As a resident of the South Bay region, I am closer to Mt.Hamilton and the Lick Observatory than I am to SFO, let alone the Golden Gate. Landmarks beyond a 25-mile radius from San Francisco would be misleading; beyond 50 miles, useless; beyond 75 miles, well, bad puzzle design.

i have one in mexico lol.

Maybe air smells sweet is suppose to have us think of, mouth and nose, how they work together to determine taste. In terms of geography or some structure, where in San Francisco do we have an opening Or passage (mouth) and a projection above or in front of it (nose)? Wherever is a place where the moth and nose are copperating to serve a single main function. Probably too generic of a thought, but maybe it helps steer us to the reason for the choice of words.

Doghousereiley

I just visited San Francisco
We went to Ghiradelli Square
I didn’t smell anything

Try go at 6am every morning, on its back which is the front of Marit Museum, my freshman and sophomore years was in Galileo, 18 years ago
i smoke there every morning before class consider that corner is the only “blind spot” , and those fresh coco smell really is something you’ll remember for life. That and some Cali grand daddy purp to start a refreshing morning….Ironically It’s something I can do when I was a kid where now i just can’t do that when I’m at work

Doghousereiley

I just visited San Francisco
We went to Ghiradelli Square
I didn’t smell anything

Try go at 6am every morning, on its back which is the front of Marit Museum, my freshman and sophomore years was in
Galileo
, 18 years ago
i smoke there every morning before class consider that corner is the only “blind spot” , and those fresh coco smell really is something you’ll remember for life. That and some Cali grand daddy purp to start a refreshing morning….Ironically It’s something I can do when I was a kid where now i just can’t do that when I’m at work

Have you tried to match the shape of that stone marker with the shape of the woman?
From this spot the flagpole is right behind you.
https://tinyurl.com/y6rqc98h

If this is a telephone map icon legend then Chinese phone exchange and Portsmouth Square area may be area of interest.

Stone marker waiting for Durian’s magic!
https://utahvalley360.com/wp-content/up … Square.jpg

Choice

If this is a telephone map icon legend then Chinese phone exchange and Portsmouth Square area may be area of interest.

***+quote
Choice- do you have a photo of an icon that you are referring to? I believe I understand what you mean but haven’t seen one that matches.

Ok, I thought I was missing something. Thanks.

The circles on the other side could be the rotary dial holes. Who knows!

You guy are getting uncomfortably close to where I would like to dig in sf lol

Wasn’t that area turned upside down with renovations over the years?

All but one spot.
The area near the pole. It’s never been touched.
I’ve got all the work orders, plans, and diagrams going back to the renovations in the 70s.

Post a good image of the area. Mine suck!

https://i.imgur.com/jpnKRTa.png

MF, awesome information– thank you! Same ISBN for sure, but it’s still hard to believe this one might be a pirated copy b/c the image quality is so high. I’ll have a closer look at the cover, binding, etc. this week to see if I can tell for sure.
Although, if I really have been working this puzzle from a vintage “hot” copy, that’s actually pretty cool!

it’s the other way around, that’s actually pretty sad.

wk

I understood that the giant pole was “The Goddess of the Forest” 26 feet tall and 21 feet girth at base, carved by Dudley C Carter in 1939 but was moved in 1986 as it was rotting away. Where was it in the park?
Also, the park was wrecked by a storm in 1995.

The goddess of the forest is a very good possiblity for the giant Pole,  Unfortunately I dug completely around it to a depth of 4 feet and found nothing.
it was west of Highway one. on John F Kennedy Blvd,  Approximately where 30th intercepts JFK Blvd.
yet until the solutions are published/released or somebody finds an SF casque, it is merely a possiblity.

Reading about Glenwood Springs history I came across one of its infamous prisoners, Ted Bundy.  The bars on the cave opening gave me the idea.  Bundy managed to escape from his cell by sawing through a bar with a hacksaw blade and his escape wasn’t noticed for 17 hours.
I thought the facial characteristics of the woman were similaar to those of Doc Holiliday

I’ve been fumbling here for a bit.  Something about Glenwood Springs, CO has me looking deeper.
Doc Holliday’s gravestone.
Grey giant, the gondola tower on the right.

JoshCornell

the dragons claws make a cb (china beach), where you learn part of the immigration story.

I see them as Aquatic Pier and Alcatraz.

More eyes the better on this…Looking at the #’s 37 and 38 in the illustration, the 3 is consistent with the same loop, The vine against the table has the same loop. Would it be possible that the vine next to the table is a 3 and the spiral is a 6?
how do i deactivate

Could the profile be JFK?

Spiritr

What’s the problem that you saw?

verse 10 is pretty much worked out with NY.

Park ranger showed up really late that day, I did dig a big hole in the area . But found nothing. And realized it’s a lot harder than what I thought, It’s very hard to dig because it’s filled with rocks and glasses. And because the park ranger can’t stay at the spot for any longer he gave me a reference number as a free pass for my next dig.
After that I went back to work. I didn’t vanish, and hall-of-shame? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Unknown

Unknown:
I didn’t vanish, and hall-of-shame? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Our resident curmudgeon is referring to the propensity of some posters, new to the hunt, to disappear after what we assume to be an unsuccessful dig, despite a fair amount of bravado leading up to the dig. Unfortunately, with your post above, you are no longer eligible for the HoS.
I’m sorry that your dig did not produce a casque. I hope it was a learning experience, and that you will have better luck the next time. And that you will continue to share with us here.

that’s where I dig, and I did it with Image 1/Verse 10.

2 maps of image 1:

Spiritr

that’s where I dig, and I did it with Image 1/Verse 10.

That’s great! Keep at it!

maltedfalcon

That’s great! Keep at it!

I tried my best already, so I think its time to let all of you to finish it

Unknown

Unknown:
that’s where I dig, and I did it with Image 1/Verse 10.

Yeah, I think I see the problem.

What’s the problem that you saw?

Continuing in jewel’s direction ( Big Reg ball field) is an object, I believe it could be the carousel , Of Twains attention , Frog.
In the illustration
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/26675429368/in/dateposted-public/
Frog!
Carousel Frog
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/40503360112/in/dateposted-public/
Giant Pole
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/40546926981/in/dateposted-public/
Giant step
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/40465884972/in/dateposted-public/
The stone pattern resembles the dragons body It also curves like the dragon.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/39651412985/in/dateposted-public/
Silhouette matchs the silhouette of the carousel

https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/39835860194/in/dateposted-public/
Lincoln?

My understanding of the state of the southeast playground circa 1981 is that the carousel building was present, but closed while the animals were being restored from damage done by leaks over the years. As for the Sharon Art Building, it had a fire in 1974 and was still not fixed from that. So really, not a very lively sounding place, though I imagine the swings and such were still available for kids to play on. Any long-timers remember how lively and maintained the playground was in the early 80s?

treetops

My understanding of the state of the southeast playground circa 1981 is that the carousel building was present, but closed while the animals were being restored from damage done by leaks over the years. As for the Sharon Art Building, it had a fire in 1974 and was still not fixed from that. So really, not a very lively sounding place, though I imagine the swings and such were still available for kids to play on. Any long-timers remember how lively and maintained the playground was in the early 80s?

This is great info. Do you know what the small building next to the carousel is/was?

gManTexas

This is great info. Do you know what the small building next to the carousel is/was?

No idea. It’s funny, because I was by there just last week wondering about that little place. The carousel was originally steam-powered. Could that building have been park of the operating machinery, a ticket booth, a maintenance shed? I might need to get up the gumption to go over to the McLaren Lodge and start asking nutty questions about the park’s history.

treetops

No idea. It’s funny, because I was by there just last week wondering about that little place. The carousel was originally steam-powered. Could that building have been park of the operating machinery, a ticket booth, a maintenance shed? I might need to get up the gumption to go over to the McLaren Lodge and start asking nutty questions about the park’s history.

Just tell them you are from the office of a potential benefactor who is really rich and interested in preservation.

From photo’s that I have seen the building looks like it’s been there a while. Yes the Carousel was under repair at that time but, it is a main staple in the park and I can see Preiss including it in the puzzle, Even if it was not in operation it still would of been a major mark in the park. There could of been enough work done on the carousel to include it in the puzzle.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138281177@N05/40505140622/in/dateposted-public/

Both the carousel and the Sharon Building have been there for a VERY long time (1940s and 1880s respectively). I wasn’t meaning to dismiss either as relevant to the solve, just trying to get an idea of what Preiss would have encountered had he been there. For instance, if the carousel was boarding up and the animals removed, he could reasonably reference the structure’s exterior, but not a specific animal like the frog.

True, anyone see the frog in the illustration? Or am I just seeing it?? LOL

treetops

Both the carousel and the Sharon Building have been there for a VERY long time (1940s and 1880s respectively). I wasn’t meaning to dismiss either as relevant to the solve, just trying to get an idea of what Preiss would have encountered had he been there. For instance, if the carousel was boarding up and the animals removed, he could reasonably reference the structure’s exterior, but not a specific animal like the frog.

What is interesting to me is while researching a lot of these cities and parks, how run down they were in 1980. Not sure if Preiss hoped they would be restored, and maybe his book would spur interest in revitalizing these treasures. I’m pleasantly surprised how much work has gone into fixing up the parks since then.
Having said that, the renovations may be detrimental to finding casques 36 years later.

Has anyone considered the Verdi monument? There is a small child holding a flagpole and taking a step on the base. It’s right near the Shakespeare Garden. Some people have talked about Verdi and Twain.

So here’s a question. How long did it take Press to make the book. 12 paintings ,book illustrations over 200 pages to the book. He might of started this year’s before it was released. I think he would of had to have all the ground work done before he sent I’n the photos and instructions

My theory on the Twain connection is that if the rock formation in the illustrations is a frog, then to me it ties in Twain to a visible clue. The SF puzzle is dedicated to California, more importantly North California. Twain’s clue has better traction to Calaveras county ( Frog Jumping ) than any other connection in northern California. I would think Priess would use this more so then a reference to the Mississippi River. If the object is a frog then with a frog being in the carousel then it ties the direction to that area. Then it ties in the cable car marker, possible ties the pole and then leads to the stair case which is a marker like the fence post or the wall with columns. Again just thinking out loud.

Yes about the camera that would be true that the pictures would not have a whole lot of detail in them , so the outline of the pole would be a silhouette and both cameras (polaroid and DSL) would pick up a silhouette correct?

GG, how I got to the “Frog” was that if the baseball diamonds are in Jewel’s direction, then the next step would be Twains’ object. Looking at the park and what is in that area the carousel came into play, plus the cable car, plus the stair case. So if there was a Twain clue anywhere near that location, the frog ties in. Yes I agree we all see different things and that’s why I believe that a box has not been found in over 30 + years from renovations to speculation on the clues. Just trying a different angle to see what comes out of it…

Yeah I think the problem with the carousel is that maybe the animals where taken and then placed back during a period of time, but I post a picture from 1980 with inside top part of the carousel that looked like it was freshly painted or updated, so that makes me think that you could still see the inside of the carousel and maybe the frog was there at that time
Just a shot?? LOL

Goldengate

I believe that’s correct. I also seem to remember hearing he used a Poloroid camera… so if that was the case, I wouldn’t be looking for detailed reference points that are hard to get close to and would require a SLR 35mm camera with a zoom lens to capture.

I can get behind this theory. It’s my opinion that three major visual reference sources were used to create the images.
1. Maps
2. Historical photos and paintings
3. Polaroid photos by Preiss
1. Maps would be relatively accurate and sharp. Some elements in the images are sharp and need to be that way for geo-locating us.
2. Photos and paintings allowed for JJP to integrate themes onto the images.
3. Polaroids, while not sharp would give us info on what BP saw at the location. This also would allow Preiss to almost instantly see whether he got the shot versus waiting for film to be developed.
If we look at Image 1, all of the mess in the background could simply be the inherent lack of detail in a Polaroid. Especially if BP was taking them from a distance.

gManTexas

1. Maps would be relatively accurate and sharp. Some elements in the images are sharp and need to be that way for geo-locating us.
2. Photos and paintings allowed for JJP to integrate themes onto the images.
3. Polaroids, while not sharp would give us info on what BP saw at the location.

Good thinking but consider that the maps BP has been show to have used are the touristy local guide maps that are available near the locations.
Sometimes these can be kind of “cartoony” for lack of a better term.
Polaroids… as a traveler he probably carried the SX-70 folding camera. the sx-70 in particular but in any event all the polaroid models suffered from Barrel Lens Distortion.
http://cjo.info/classic-cameras/polaroi … nal-model/
This means even if you traced the polaroid photo exactly, there would be some images that didnt exactly match the object.
for instance if you shot a picture looking up at a tapered flagpole in the worst case the flagpole would get wider in the middle but, more common it would just look the same size as it went up

maltedfalcon

Good thinking but consider that the maps BP has been show to have used are the touristy local guide maps that are available near the locations.
Sometimes these can be kind of “cartoony” for lack of a better term.
Polaroids… as a traveler he probably carried the SX-70 folding camera. the sx-70 in particular but in any event all the polaroid models suffered from Barrel Lens Distortion.
http://cjo.info/classic-cameras/polaroi … nal-model/
This means even if you traced the polaroid photo exactly, there would be some images that didnt exactly match the object.
for instance if you shot a picture looking up at a tapered flagpole in the worst case the flagpole would get wider in the middle but, more common it would just look the same size as it went up

Completely agree. I also believe that he must have had a giant atlas that he worked from. This was probably augmented with tourist maps.

gManTexas

I also believe that he must have had a giant atlas that he worked from. This was probably augmented with tourist maps.

I believe he used National Geographic maps & AAA maps. If you can find some that predate 1981, it helps figure out the way things were.

Good thinking. The first thing to do is to see if he did his photography when he did the whirlwind cask burial in 1980. I know its been stated, I believe by BP, that he had JJP do the paintings and wrote the verses after that. So if that were true we’d know everything drawn would have to have been there in 1980, because everything was recreated from photos

I have a AAA map of SF from 1978 I will post later tonight.

Is the general consensus the verse 7 is married with image 1 amongst the members here? I’m trying to play by the rules and post verse related topics over in the verse 7 thread, but it’s not getting any love. It seems that many of the verse threads now play second fiddle. Should I just post my ramblings here?

gManTexas

Is the general consensus the verse 7 is married with image 1 amongst the members here? I’m trying to play by the rules and post verse related topics over in the verse 7 thread, but it’s not getting any love. It seems that many of the verse threads now play second fiddle. Should I just post my ramblings here?

Yes, but that is not in any way Set in Stone. It’s Just a consensus.
Listen when I first suggested it, Verse 7 was by unanimous consensus paired with image 7 – first it was 7/7 so it had that going for it, but there were long detailed theories, one I think involved the Jax brewery?
but anyway I thought v7 worked with SF better so I argued it… in the end the “consensus” switched around… but that being said, I havent found a casque with it yet…
In general post verse stuff in the verse thread… I guess we all need to get back in the swing of posting things where they belong!

Goonie68

I have a AAA map of SF from 1978 I will post later tonight.

great!

drunknerds

So… can anyone relate anything in verse 7 to the picture? That’s what I’ve been doing this afternoon.
Glad to be here, thanks for this site.

Welcome drunk. The only thing I see linkable between verse and image is the gate in the cliffs of the image and the mention of a stonewall’s door in the verse. If you want a systematic sort of indicator for how to connect the images to some cultural theme, then read the Litany of the Jewels. I don’t think there’s much to go on when it comes to looking for a solid connection.

drunknerds

So… can anyone relate anything in verse 7 to the picture? That’s what I’ve been doing this afternoon.

yes, the object of twain’s attention features prominently in the image.
more tomorrow…

Dominick

I think the key for this image is the stem of the table outlined in blue. The table with the watch and the rose. I am not convinced it is the outline of a cable car. I think it is a real land mark that might be gone now. It is too specific a shape.

Eventhough I haven’t found an exact match, the rose granite base of this statue has some resemblances.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1094&start=1061

Dominick

I think the key for this image is the stem of the table outlined in blue. The table with the watch and the rose. I am not convinced it is the outline of a cable car. I think it is a real land mark that might be gone now. It is too specific a shape.

At one time I thought maybe it was a lighthouse .

MERLIN

At one time I thought maybe it was a lighthouse .

I have looked at light houses, windmills, signs, light poles, and totem poles. I keep wondering if it is the “Giant pole” or if it is just a small garden light or the base of a drinking fountain. I think whatever it was might be gone. The park has had so many restorations sense 1982. It has to be a real thing in my mind. It is like the buildings in images 4,5, 10, and 12.

Dominick

I have looked at light houses, windmills, signs, light poles, and totem poles. I keep wondering if it is the “Giant pole” or if it is just a small garden light or the base of a drinking fountain. I think whatever it was might be gone. The park has had so many restorations sense 1982. It has to be a real thing in my mind. It is like the buildings in images 4,5, 10, and 12.

One should not assume that the location is GGP and nowhere else in the city.
The dragon may depict Lombard st. so anywhere around Lombard may be of interest i.e. Russian hill and Telegraph hill.

Choice

One should not assume that the location is GGP and nowhere else in the city.
The dragon may depict Lombard st. so anywhere around Lombard may be of interest i.e. Russian hill and Telegraph hill.

You are absolutely right. I just feel that there is other things in the image pointing to the park. But all of it is loose. I just started researching the Triumph of Light pedestal. I love the research as much as the hunt. I have learned so much about San Fran. When I go to the park with family we walk the popular theories and talk about the images and the book. Great fun.

Magesmiley

A question for those who have done some digging in San Francisco – how tough is it to get the permission and how long does it take? I’m going to be visiting SF in July for a few days and may take a crack at my pet theories.

Regarding Golden Gate Park, it depends where in the park you want to dig. Lots of places are neglected, and it is easy to get permission for those areas. Forget about places like Japanese Tea Garden and Botanical Gardens. I called the main offices at McLaren Lodge and was directed to the appropriate person, who called me back the next day. He was very friendly and helpful. The park is divided into several sections for management purposes, and different supervisors for each section.

Digging Saturday, again…
Well I am digging one more hole at GGP this Saturday, anyone who wants to join me can meet at the HorseShoe Pits about 12:00 noon.

forest_blight

Can you scan the back for us?

The back is completely blank.  Not even a faint marking of an old date.  Here are some adjacent photos.

forest_blight

Can you scan the back for us?

The back is completely blank.  Not even a faint marking
of
an old date.  Here are some adjacent photos.

I don’t see exact matches, but it sure has the right feel.  Stone wall’s door too.

I
don’t see exact matches, but it sure has the right feel.  Stone wall’s door too.

do you have a link to the original location?

no, I found the photo in an old photo album that someone tossed in a garbage.  All the photos look like they are in SF.  Transamerica building, Sutter st., Dragon arch, etc.  All from the 70’s.  I think it’s definately pre-78.

no,
I
found the photo in an old photo album that someone tossed in a garbage.  All the photos look like they are in SF.  Transamerica building, Sutter st., Dragon arch, etc.  All from the 70’s.
I
think it’s definately pre-78.

Pretty nice match.  Looks kinda like a movie set.

Yeah, a stage for gold rush reenactments.

Can you scan the back for us?

Something like this… just if it fits…
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist/theatres.html

You dragging your talons on this one maltedfalcon?  I thought we were on a roll.
This little rock formation looked a little bit like Lincoln…

Thats been noted many times and most likely indicates lincoln park.
Its the rainy season here now – waiting for some nicer weather.

Because it’s cheaper than a fancy ticket.

shecrab

Because it’s cheaper than a fancy ticket.

It took me a minute, but I LOL’d!!

Okay Josh, I care….what are your meanings for the symbols? I have several for my solve but am still trying to figure out the 3 or so at the bottom.

I have an explanation for all the border symbols, and nothing has to do with Portsmouth square in my opinion. if you care.

Nice find, boogie. This is definitely worth remembering.

fox

While looking at the satellite of the area at maps.google.com I noticed 2 large curved buildings 1 block down N Point St…what is this?  Just curious.

I believe they are 2 expensive apartment buildings but I can’t remember the name of that complex. that’s funny that you would mention them, because the last time my friend and i were down there, we were talking about them. we were wondering why someone would pay so much to live so far from where they work. i guess it’s all about the view.

fox

While looking at the satellite
of
the area at maps.google.com
I
noticed 2 large curved buildings 1 block down N Point St…what is this?  Just curious.

I
believe they are 2 expensive apartment buildings but
I
can’t remember the name
of
that complex. that’s funny that you would mention them, because the last time my friend and
i
were down there, we were talking about them. we were wondering why someone would pay so much to live so far from where they work.
i
guess it’s all about the view.

Unknown

Unknown:
Tell you what,
Actually
I
‘ve been wishy washing back and forth about inviting you guys.
But
I
want to try it on my own first.
If
I
can’t get it wednesday – How about we pick another day and meet in SF
I
will go over my clues with you and we will see what we come up with.
Maltedfalcon
Matt Sparks
ps Im up past sacramento

So, what happened?

Unknown

Unknown:
Tell you what,
Actually I’ve been wishy washing back and forth about inviting you guys.
But I want to try it on my own first.
If I can’t get it wednesday – How about we pick another day and meet in SF I will go over my clues with you and we will see what we come up with.
Maltedfalcon
Matt Sparks
ps Im up past sacramento

So, what happened?

Hey Egbert,
have you heard back from Priess yet??  Did he congratulate you??  Did he tell you when you’ll get the jewel?

I spoke with him briefly — he was running out to a meeting.  He congratulated me, and said that he now has to go to the bank to figure out which jewel is mine.  I haven’t heard from him since, and it’s been a couple of days.

I
spoke with him briefly — he was running out to a meeting.  He congratulated me, and said that he now has to go to the bank to figure out which jewel is mine.
I
haven’t heard from him since, and it’s been a couple
of
days.

Durian

From the photo and the others I’ve seen, the turnaround looks to be at the same level it is today—on a plane with Beach Street. The stairs run off Hyde into the park, and since Hyde is inclined between Beach and Jefferson, they would bring you up to the level of the turnaround from Hyde street—today and in the 70s.

I could be wrong but it looks to me like the old one just turned 90 and ran alongside the road level with the road. or maybe even a little above, because you would want it to roll off the turntable by gravity. In that case the stairs would not be there as the sidewalk would be at the same level as the area around the turntable.
The new turntable is at 45 degrees into the park leaving an area next to the sidewalk, it looks like they excavated the dirt under the old turntable and used it build up the area for the new turntable, which opened up the area and required the stairs to be put in since it now goes down from the sidewalk.

When trying to figure out where the old Turntable was I use the “Circus Tent” shelter.
That shelter with the white circular top has been in the same spot for years and it used to line up perfectly with the old Turntable.

MrBackstop

When trying to figure out where the old Turntable was I use the “Circus Tent” shelter.
That shelter with the white circular top has been in the same spot for years and it used to line up perfectly with the old Turntable.

picture?

https://sfmta.photoshelter.com/gallery- … T4YTtxFMnU

That shows me that there was no stairway there.

magesmiley  Great!
good luck! anything I can do to help let me know
Matt Sparks

magesmiley  Great!
good luck! anything
I
can do to help let me know
Matt Sparks

maskit

Hi Durian, I liked a lot about your solution and want to thank you for sharing it. Being able to see the Gh, the steamboat and Alcatraz all from this spot are potentially great confirmers. Plus, the comparison of the table top in the painting to the cable car turntable appears to be entirely plausible. It sure seems as if the casque might be in this area. However, the concrete steps down to Hyde Street were not installed until 1982.
This information was found on page 82:
https://www.nps.gov/safr/getinvolved/up … -28-17.pdf
The area in and around the turntable is called Victorian Park. The original design was intended to be reminiscent of the Victorian era, complete with ornate benches and gas lamps. It would be logical for the new 1982 stair railings and ironwork to continue with this same type of detail.

maskit, great find. Interestingly Victorian Park was already there. Let’s assume for a second that Durian is correct. Short of feeling an obligation to bury a new casque, what if it had been in the park and was destroyed in the 1982 renovation? While I think that the casque is in GGP, Victorian Park could certainly be an object of Twain’s attention, since he co-authored the book, The Guilded Age: A Tale of Today, which was set during the Victorian era.
One caveat here, BP was intimately familiar with SF and could have easily waited until the renovations were complete to bury the casque, although that would be kind of a jerk move if the book was already in circulation.
My take is that perhaps this is a clue, but for the tour of the city sights. I believe each puzzle has a dual meaning and that we are taken around the city first, then to the treasure location. The real hunt in SF, IMHO, is in GGP.

maskit

Hi Durian,
I
liked a lot about your solution and want to thank you for sharing it. Being able to see the Gh, the steamboat and Alcatraz all from this spot are potentially great confirmers. Plus, the comparison
of
the table top in the painting to the cable car turntable appears to be entirely plausible. It sure seems as if the casque might be in this area. However, the concrete steps down to Hyde Street were not installed until 1982.
This information was found on page 82:
https://www.nps.gov/safr/getinvolved/up … -28-17.pdf
The area in and around the turntable is called Victorian Park. The original design was intended to be reminiscent
of
the Victorian era, complete with ornate benches and gas lamps. It would be logical for the new 1982 stair railings and ironwork to continue with this same type
of
detail.

maskit, great find. Interestingly Victorian Park was already there. Let’s assume for a second that Durian is correct. Short
of
feeling an obligation to bury a new casque, what if it had been in the park and was destroyed in the 1982 renovation? While
I
think that the casque is in GGP, Victorian Park could certainly be an object
of
Twain’s attention, since he co-authored the book, The Guilded Age: A Tale
of
Today, which was set during the Victorian era.
One caveat here, BP was intimately familiar with SF and could have easily waited until the renovations were complete to bury the casque, although that would be kind
of
a jerk move if the book was already in circulation.
My take is that perhaps this is a clue, but for the tour
of
the city sights.
I
believe each puzzle has a dual meaning and that we are taken around the city first, then to the treasure location. The real hunt in SF, IMHO, is in GGP.

Durian

Also, I know some people think my use of streetlights on a corner as the “high posts are three” is weak sauce. How about this then… The view, from the very same street corner, the corner where Ghirardelli Chocolate is:
Remember, the Balcutha (the sailing ship) wasn’t there when Preiss created The Secret. Now, think about something from the painting:
I believe these symbols are topographical symbols. According to the USGS, a blue circle represents a water tank, the triangle a peak, and the two squares with dots represent a “Land grant, homestead, mineral, or other special survey monument.” The three red circles in my image above are “high points” features of Alcatraz: the smokestack (other special monument), the water tower (a well), and the guard tower (another other special monument). These are the three high posts. At 788 feet, the peak of Mt. Livermore on Angel Island is probably the triangle. All four are grouped together in the painting because they are references to a single view of Alcatraz and Angel Island, both referenced also in the line “Education and Justice for all to see.”
Image and verse.
And since you get this view from Ghirardelli, the symbols are on the same “line of sight” in the painting as the reversed “Gh.”

I like the idea of a guard tower being a post.

Durian

Also,
I
know some people think my use
of
streetlights on a corner as the “high posts are three” is weak sauce. How about this then… The view, from the very same street corner, the corner where Ghirardelli Chocolate is:
Remember, the Balcutha (the sailing ship) wasn’t there when Preiss created The Secret. Now, think about something from the painting:
I
believe these symbols are topographical symbols. According to the USGS, a blue circle represents a water tank, the triangle a peak, and the two squares with dots represent a “Land grant, homestead, mineral, or other special survey monument.” The three red circles in my image above are “high points” features
of
Alcatraz: the smokestack (other special monument), the water tower (a well), and the guard tower (another other special monument). These are the three high posts. At 788 feet, the peak
of
Mt. Livermore on Angel Island is probably the triangle. All four are grouped together in the painting because they are references to a single view
of
Alcatraz and Angel Island, both referenced also in the line “Education and Justice for all to see.”
Image and verse.
And since you get this view from Ghirardelli, the symbols are on the same “line
of
sight” in the painting as the reversed “Gh.”

I
like the idea
of
a guard tower being a post.

durian, I highly suggest you run through what others have done on these puzzles to give yourself a little more context about what has already been figured out.

durian,
I
highly suggest you run through what others have done on these puzzles to give yourself a little more context about what has already been figured out.

Unknown

Unknown:
In 1982 the orientation of the entrance of the cable car line at Victorian Park was altered. Originally the line entered the park on the east side from Hyde Street at a 90-degree angle (the tracks were parallel to Beach Street). After renovations, the tracks entered the park at the southeast corner at roughly a 45-degree angle. In addition, a path that originally followed the slope around the cable car platform was moved farther north to accommodate the newly extended flll slope designed for the realigned turnaround. During this renovation, the east side of the plaza was extended and a new seating area created. This area was covered with interlocking brick pavers. A new set of concrete steps lead to the sidewalk along Hyde Street. Sometime after 1982 the Victorian Park paths and plaza were paved with asphalt.

Hi Durian, I liked a lot about your solution and want to thank you for sharing it. Being able to see the Gh, the steamboat and Alcatraz all from this spot are potentially great confirmers. Plus, the comparison of the table top in the painting to the cable car turntable appears to be entirely plausible. It sure seems as if the casque might be in this area. However, the concrete steps down to Hyde Street were not installed until 1982.
This information was found on page 82:
https://www.nps.gov/safr/getinvolved/up … -28-17.pdf
The area in and around the turntable is called Victorian Park. The original design was intended to be reminiscent of the Victorian era, complete with ornate benches and gas lamps. It would be logical for the new 1982 stair railings and ironwork to continue with this same type of detail.

Unknown

Unknown:
In 1982 the orientation
of
the entrance
of
the cable car line at Victorian Park was altered. Originally the line entered the park on the east side from Hyde Street at a 90-degree angle (the tracks were parallel to Beach Street). After renovations, the tracks entered the park at the southeast corner at roughly a 45-degree angle. In addition, a path that originally followed the slope around the cable car platform was moved farther north to accommodate the newly extended flll slope designed for the realigned turnaround. During this renovation, the east side
of
the plaza was extended and a new seating area created. This area was covered with interlocking brick pavers. A new set
of
concrete steps lead to the sidewalk along Hyde Street. Sometime after 1982 the Victorian Park paths and plaza were paved with asphalt.

Hi Durian,
I
liked a lot about your solution and want to thank you for sharing it. Being able to see the Gh, the steamboat and Alcatraz all from this spot are potentially great confirmers. Plus, the comparison
of
the table top in the painting to the cable car turntable appears to be entirely plausible. It sure seems as if the casque might be in this area. However, the concrete steps down to Hyde Street were not installed until 1982.
This information was found on page 82:
https://www.nps.gov/safr/getinvolved/up … -28-17.pdf
The area in and around the turntable is called Victorian Park. The original design was intended to be reminiscent
of
the Victorian era, complete with ornate benches and gas lamps. It would be logical for the new 1982 stair railings and ironwork to continue with this same type
of
detail.

hi all, I too am still in favor of Golden Gate Park for this image and I had a few places in mind to check out, but I was wondering if anyone knew where people have previously dug so as to not repeat the same digs.  From this thread I believe the totempole, the horseshoe pits, and the north pole monument have been tried…any other places in GGP?

hi all,
I
too am still in favor
of
Golden Gate Park for this image and
I
had a few places in mind to check out, but
I
was wondering if anyone knew where people have previously dug so as to not repeat the same digs.  From this thread
I
believe the totempole, the horseshoe pits, and the north pole monument have been tried…any other places in GGP?

cherbear

hi all, I too am still in favor of Golden Gate Park for this image and I had a few places in mind to check out, but I was wondering if anyone knew where people have previously dug so as to not repeat the same digs.  From this thread I believe the totempole, the horseshoe pits, and the north pole monument have been tried…any other places in GGP?

I dont know of any others where people have actually dug.

cherbear

hi all,
I
too am still in favor
of
Golden Gate Park for this image and
I
had a few places in mind to check out, but
I
was wondering if anyone knew where people have previously dug so as to not repeat the same digs.  From this thread
I
believe the totempole, the horseshoe pits, and the north pole monument have been tried…any other places in GGP?

I
dont know
of
any others where people have actually dug.

The thing that stood out to me at night when I visited years ago was all the white globe lights throughout Ghirardelli. When I mentioned this at one time I was told that those white globe lights are all over SF. And that’s okay with me, it just that it is very noticeable.
Someone on here did mention Apollo 11 once as being a connection to the city but I like the idea of Ghirardelli and the 11 letters representing the “moons” in Image 1.
I’ll throw this out there too for fun. If you look at a map or google earth and view SF from the North looking south you will notice why the our lady has two different shaped elbows. Her elbow on the left (her right elbow) is the coastline of the Eastern side of SF along the Embarcadero/Fisherman’s Wharf and the elbow on the right (her left elbow) is the coast by the Pacific ocean, Fort Miley area. This tells me that our Seamonster/Dragon/Snake in the center puts us in Maritime National Park for the solve.

JoshCornell

i used the prisoners leaving from the 43, to be the reference that takes you to the Arch which has railway lines running to it, at the pier in fisherman’s wharf. with pier 43 being where you would take the ferry to and from Angel Island before (as the two islands are related via the “i have seen the elephants” reference pertaining to the hardships endured by new immigrants, particularly the Chinese who were discriminated against with the Chinese Exclusion Act; which, in turn, relates to the hardships endured by prisoners on the rock, of which the forced labour was an example). im assuming the battleship wasnt there in 81.

how horrible was that, to pay respect to my ancestors who suffers and as a first generation Chinese immigrant, I must find it….
anyone have any good suggestions for a compact, maybe fold-able probe that can poke 4 to 5 ft?

Spiritr

those are just for you to copy and paste so google can pin point the exact location you were saying, and I’m trying to confirm if that’s the area you’re referring
ok, fine, i’ll do this, 37°46’11.5″N 122°29’41.8″W , is this the area?

that is the area diceycat asked about
and no I have not looked there at all other then when I was looking everywhere for a giant pole.
I did check out the polo grounds just south of there though and the angling pool (fishing poles?) LOL

I don’t think the road splits like that anywhere else in the park and why would they do that unless there was something significant growing there like a big old tree, maybe .What would help is photos of this area from the 1980s and all the other suspect locations. Anyone
Would they have dug 3 feet down? Might be asking for too much but does anyone know who the volunteers were that repaired the dell and if they happened to find the casque?

They tore it up pretty good to put in a new drainage system, so it is very possible it could have been dug up and they never even knew about it (if this is the burial spot).

I’m back, finally got to see what you’re talking about , the little square that has grass on it right? I was there right on time, the minute I walk back to JFK the sprinkler start watering the lawn all at once, LOL
it was ….wood am I correct? it’s a wood statue right? pole shape

Unknown

Unknown:
I would love to believe that he would have given more clues to finding these final 10 treasure spots, as I am sure he wanted these to be found.

Sentiments like the one above are often repeated on this forum and elsewhere, but all evidence suggests that the exact opposite was true. Preiss was made aware by several people well before his death that there was renewed interest in his hunt, and if anything, he went out of his way to obstruct their progress. In all fairness, twenty years had passed and there really was no upside for him (and considerable downside), so his reticence was understandable. What’s more likely IMO is that he would have eventually gotten fed up with being badgered (think JJP), called off the hunt (not sure what the legal implications of that would have been), had the remaining casques dug up privately, and possibly issued a short explanation of each puzzle and how it worked. And that would have been the end of it.

Spiritr

I’m back, finally got to see what you’re talking about , the little square that has grass on it right? I was there right on time, the minute I walk back to JFK the sprinkler start watering the lawn all at once, LOL
it was ….wood am I correct? it’s a wood statue right? pole shape

It’s that small piece of land that splits JFK drive in two beside south side of Spreckels lake . I’m thinking it could be a giant step away from a giant sequoia ( giant pole),if one is growing in this section of land ( not sure which tree is a giant sequoia off of google). There are other possible locations that match the verses better but not so much the image such as Blue Playground , looks like the playground has been updated,(Twain liked children), or 37 degrees 46 ‘ 21” N , 122 degrees 28’ 08” W or 37degrees46’ 21”N , 122 degrees 28’ 05” W if you like the sequoia theory. It’s a challenge for sure. You could also say Koret playground could be the final spot by the giant pole “maybe”, but the image doesn’t fit the location so it’s a guess for now.

Spiritr

I’m back, finally got to see what you’re talking about , the little square that has grass on it right? I was there right on time, the minute I walk back to JFK the sprinkler start watering the lawn all at once, LOL
it was ….wood am I correct? it’s a wood statue right? pole shape

if you are talking about the goddess base
it is cement square about 3 feet tall and 8 feet accross with a circular depression in the top that filled with dirt and might/mightnot have grass growing. depending on how dry it got
the statue was a totem pole carved during the pacific pan exposition from a single redwood sequoia tree
it was orginally quite tall but the wood set in the inset in the cement and as it rained it filled with water and did not drain so every couple years they would lift the totem up with a crane and chainsaw off the bottom and set it back down
by the 80s it was 1/2 the size it started at, and soon after was entirely taken down. (the remains are in a museum in downtown SF.)

Twain like money, gold, or silver. Literature maybe
First of all, I think the key is keep it simple, then put yourself in 1980, no internet, no Wikipedia, only source of info someone could obtain was first and for sure the image, and then, maps, signature buildings or mounuments, The clues or message are very straight forward, if you have to spend hours looking over Wikipedia or history of a certain name or people, you are playing it wrong. And the location! I guaranteed you it’s so precise and accurate if you dig more than 2 times in a same location that means you still haven’t figured it out yet! The reason why the Chicago one was found is because 1. They got 80% of the puzzles right, 2, the kid actually made a phone call to Preiss and got the glue in that conversation! But the exact locations was in the verse and in the image already, so percise If you have a smartphone today it will lead you stand right on top of it! So is the one in Cleveland. I will respect all suggestions until it’s found. That’s how I see it, if you want to see certain part of the park , I don’t have any problems going in or even give you a video footage anyway you like, I have drone I have go pro, like I said I love right next to the park, if I have time, I don’t mind.

for, for the “forest goddess” , if we are talking about this one:
enough said, I’m all in for this one! just by looking at that thing on top of her head I would say it’s definitely a clue
but if you’re talking about this one:
then I will say forget it, I simply don’t think it connects at all….

What do you think of this idea ( big stretch). There is a tree by the sidewalk along JFK dr. ,looks like an old sequoia (fenced in by a wooden fence) co-ordinates 37 degrees 46’ 20 “ by 122 degrees 28’ 09” .
My question has to do with the dark shapes made by the roots crisis crossing and the shapes on the tree trunk itself . Could the dark spot between the wrists on the image be referencing to a dark spot of the same shape at the tree base? Just a wild guess

Spiritr

here’s the part I cut from a 1975 map,
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/myCwd … 20-h974-rw
and here’s something I suggested that would look more like it, it even match the side and the top as will…..
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TXEJ5 … 20-h974-rw

Unknown

Unknown:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OmekU … 0-h1776-rw

Your embedded code wasn’t showing anything for me, just the word “image”, so I removed the tags and it still won’t let me access them. It’s probably a user security thing, oh well. Same problem with the other link in the last post.
I think you are trying to link to something only you can see on your computer or within a private account.

oh no….really? I did made it public tho……emmm why? it’s nothing major but see if this help
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14vUXWL … S0Y4J/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11AE6uU … XF44c/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M2SY-m … gPsmz/view
let me know if still not showing……
now, I think, I am only 2 steps away for my first dig, I’m just missing 2 key elements right now
1. a camera man
2. tools to dig

Diceycat

What do you think of this idea ( big stretch). There is a tree by the sidewalk along JFK dr. ,looks like an old sequoia (fenced in by a wooden fence) co-ordinates 37 degrees 46’ 20 “ by 122 degrees 28’ 09” .
My question has to do with the dark shapes made by the roots crisis crossing and the shapes on the tree trunk itself . Could the dark spot between the wrists on the image be referencing to a dark spot of the same shape at the tree base? Just a wild guess

I think the idea is good. But when applied to the image, does it match? Along with those numbers.
Yesterday I was missing 2 keys to the puzzle, now I have 3.
1.digging tools
2.camera man
3. How exactly do people made comments and edit pages in thesecret.pbworks??? I’ve tried requesting to join for almost 2 weeks already. And nothing….

i think you need to get off the tree crack, thats what i think lol.

The small piece of land that splits JFK by Sprekles lake in Golden Gate Park is the rhododendron island…From 2003-2004 the island was heavily dug up and renovated. Plants and trees that were non-native and neglected were removed and new rhododendrons were planted to bring the island back to its glory. So there is a very good chance that if it was buried there it is no longer there. I lived in the city at 37th and remember them tearing that section up, it was a huge mess. Drove through there yesterday and the rhodys are so beautiful in full bloom. Also keep in mind if you want to dig in the park you will need to fill out a dig permit request. It took almost 3 weeks for me to get a dig time.. They were strict with the hour limit. The guy was 10 minutes late and we did not get that extra time, so we had 50 minutes… you must supply your own tools and a tarp for the dirt and no filming was allowed. It is amazing how fast an hour can go by… Have fun

i didnt fill out any forms…i just convinced the grounds crew to let me dig…but i dug at wrong spot lol…

Goldengate

It’s an interesting way to turn the phrase, and in theory it works. For me it’s a little bit of a journey to get from The Rock to “stone wall’s.” That said, if there’s a plaque or even 1981 tourist guide that references 43 as an official Alcatraz prisoner departure point, it would be a GREAT revelation… I’m just dubious of Google dives replacing direct 1981 contemporary references… one of the reasons for my doubt is the quote below from, yes, I know, an internet site:
http://www.alcatraz101.com
. While there is no mention of Pier 43 as one of the departure points for prisoners, it doesn’t mean it’s not true — or that you are not correct, I’d just love to see some 1981 information that Preiss could have readily referenced on a walking tour of the area:
“Shipments of inmates from the other federal prisons followed. These inmates
would be pulled out of their cells, put in handcuffs and leg shackles, linked
together in a “chain” with connecting waist irons, then loaded onto a special train,
described as a “rolling prison”, and transported across the country. The train cars
were uncoupled at secluded docks on San Francisco Bay, in Richmond and
Tiburon, then pushed onto a barge and tugged over to Alcatraz. The inmates
would step off the train right onto The Rock.
After these initial shipments, replacement inmates came to Alcatraz individually
or in small groups, following more conventional prisoner transit procedures. The
final point of departure for these inmates was Fort Mason, right next to Muni Pier
in San Francisco. There they boarded the prison launch for their short ride to a
long stay at Alcatraz.”
Additionally I’ve read they kept a vehicle at Ft. Mason exclusively as prisoner transport for court appearances.
Again, not saying you’re wrong at all, I’ve read a couple online references to 43 / Alcatraz as well, but if 43 was only one of multiple departure points for Alcatraz prisoners and information about it wasn’t reasonably accessible in 81, it becomes a little less “rock solid” (sorry, terrible pun).
Again, your theory is totally interesting, I’m just playing the devil’s advocate.

GG, yeah I saw this and other info regarding the prisoners first populating Alcatraz. But after it was established, new prisoners would be processed and put on the Belt Railroad and take over to Pier 43. From there they would be handed over to the Police boats on their way to the Rock.
In fact, the reason the woman has her arms crossed in my solve is to represent the Belt Railroad which ran from the West Side of Fort Mason, under the Fort and down Jefferson to access the piers.
So when you see the Lincoln face next to the Fish face on the left side of our Russian lady that is letting us know that the Belt Railroad used to run somewhere from around Lincoln Blvd over thru Fisherman’s Wharf.

Durian

All right. This is a little crazy, but just maybe not. Please indulge me for a moment…
The painting is pretty clearly an homage to Da Vinci’s painting the “Madonna of the Rocks.” Interestingly, the moons in the image might be a tip of the hat to Da Vinci as well—and a clue.
How? Modern science credits Da Vinci as being the first person ever to correctly explain the phenomena of “earthshine.” What is earthshine? It’s the glow the moon gets around it’s edge from light reflected from the earth. It is referred to today as “Da Vinci Glow.” NASA has an entire page dedicated to it:
https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/04oct_leonardo.html
If you look up “Da Vinci Glow” on Wikipedia you are redirected to the entry for “earthshine.”
Here is how Da Vinci drew it from his observations:
Now, almost all of the moons in the image (if not all) have this Da Vinci Glow. You don’t have to draw a moon this way… but the artist did. I think he put this touch in intentionally, just like he chose Da Vinci’s “the Madonna of the rocks” quite intentionally for the San Francisco puzzle. He looked at Alcatraz—a.k.a. The Rock—and painted a woman in front of a scene of water and rocks, with the main rock high above with a barred window, i.e. a prison window. He wanted us to think Alcatraz. Maybe the moons were chosen because he wants us to recognize Da Vinci Glow. He wants us to think “glow.” Maybe we aren’t supposed to be looking for eleven orbs/circles/moons at all. Maybe we are supposed to be looking above us—just as the moons are above the woman and atop the image—for eleven glowing objects.
There’s that pesky Ghirardelli sign again—eleven glowing letters above us as we physically start the puzzle:

By the way Durian, I thought this obsevation of yours was brilliant. I had attributed the 11 “moons” to being the lights that surround Ghirardelli Square, they are everywhere. But I was always trying to figure out why there were 11 and I like your tie-in to the Letters in Ghirardelli.
Props to you.

Tamaari

From 2003-2004 the island was heavily dug up and renovated. Plants and trees that were non-native and neglected were removed and new rhododendrons were planted to bring the island back to its glory. So there is a very good chance that if it was buried there it is no longer there.

I completely disagree, if you’re saying from 2013-2014….yea, maybe, whatever you’re concerning might be a possibility. Some even
CONCLUDED
“only way this solution can ever be completely resolved is by cutting into the path, lifting out an asphalt slab, and digging underneath. It’s not a difficult or expensive operation (road crews do the same thing every day when they repair potholes) but it’s not something that can be done by a casual searcher with hand tools.”( I read it in the wiki).
That’s negative thinking, no good. Don’t blame the game when you didn’t win, that’s lame.
My way of thinking is really simple, if I’m the one that buried the treasure, I will most likely check on it from time to time to see if it’s still discover-able, unless you’re telling me Mr. Preiss doesn’t even know how to use google map. Otherwise, everything is still here upon 2014-2015. If work has been done to the site and the box is no longer discover-able. I’m sure he will announce his reader, given it fair to those who had it right. And motivae the rest of us over North America who still going after his story. Right?

i used the prisoners leaving from the 43, to be the reference that takes you to the Arch which has railway lines running to it, at the pier in fisherman’s wharf. with pier 43 being where you would take the ferry to and from Angel Island before (as the two islands are related via the “i have seen the elephants” reference pertaining to the hardships endured by new immigrants, particularly the Chinese who were discriminated against with the Chinese Exclusion Act; which, in turn, relates to the hardships endured by prisoners on the rock, of which the forced labour was an example). im assuming the battleship wasnt there in 81.

Spiritr

I completely disagree, if you’re saying from 2013-2014….yea, maybe, whatever you’re concerning might be a possibility. Some even
CONCLUDED
“only way this solution can ever be completely resolved is by cutting into the path, lifting out an asphalt slab, and digging underneath. It’s not a difficult or expensive operation (road crews do the same thing every day when they repair potholes) but it’s not something that can be done by a casual searcher with hand tools.”( I read it in the wiki).
That’s negative thinking, no good. Don’t blame the game when you didn’t win, that’s lame.
My way of thinking is really simple, if I’m the one that buried the treasure, I will most likely check on it from time to time to see if it’s still discover-able, unless you’re telling me Mr. Preiss doesn’t even know how to use google map. Otherwise, everything is still here upon 2014-2015. If work has been done to the site and the box is no longer discover-able. I’m sure he will announce his reader, given it fair to those who had it right. And motivae the rest of us over North America who still going after his story. Right?

I am not quite sure where you are speaking about “cutting into the path, lifting out an asphalt slab” And I am sure Mr. Preiss would surely know how and would use google maps if he were still alive to do so. Upon his death in 2005 he took the location of every burial spot with him. I would love to believe that he would have given more clues to finding these final 10 treasure spots, as I am sure he wanted these to be found.
In the summer of 2003 volunteers assembled on site on a regular basis to clean up the patch of land, remove the plants that didn’t belong and re-introduce different varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. It took the volunteer group an entire year, but in the summer of 2004 they completed their project transforming this patch of land back to a garden filled with rhododendrons, azaleas and different tree species. Also…In 1995, the site suffered severe damage after a strong windstorm uprooted hundreds of mature
 trees that shielded the plants from the sun. Many rhododendrons fell victim to the excessive heat. To make matters worse, a poor drainage system led to erosion. In 2010, a newly renovated space for the Rhododendron Dell was unveiled. Today, the gardeners of Golden Gate Park are also more successful in safeguarding healthy vegetation in the Dell. The Dell is a small traffic island that divides John F. Kennedy Drive and the 36th Avenue entrance.

There is a correlation between size of the moons and the distance of way points from the dig sight. I’m listing the last five spots:
5) Peter and Paul Church, outline of the building on the right side and praying hands.
4) Marconi Memorial, sounds from the sky, inventor of radio
3) Coit tower
2) Columbus statue, referred to in the book as “Colon Savanelli, an intrepidly nautical Folleto (misspelled) out of Genoa”. Folletto, Italian meaning elf.
1) Final sight

Sight = site, damn hooked on phonics.

Nice, another cool possibility for the Circus Tent shelter. Nice find Durian. There are so many clues within that background.

Forgive me if this has been mentioned —
Here’s a picture of Ocean Beach at the end of GG park.
http://www.inetours.com/images/Snglimgs/TotemBeach.jpg

Forgive me if this has been mentioned —
Here’s a picture
of
Ocean Beach at the end
of
GG park.
http://www.inetours.com/images/Snglimgs/TotemBeach.jpg

Unknown

Unknown:
I scanned through this thread and didn’t see that these had been documented already

We’ve had it in the “What has been found” thread for awhile, but it is interesting that the numbers never made it to this thread. With the 37, 38, 122, and 123 all visible in this pic, there is pretty much zero doubt that the casque is in the San Francisco area.

Unknown

Unknown:
I
scanned through this thread and didn’t see that these had been documented already

We’ve had it in the “What has been found” thread for awhile, but it is interesting that the numbers never made it to this thread. With the 37, 38, 122, and 123 all visible in this pic, there is pretty much zero doubt that the casque is in the San Francisco area.

I’ll take a shot…
The palm tree in the photo of the monument is in roughly the same position as the pedestal/rose in image 1.  Also, in the photo, you can see the bay behind the monument, and then land on the other side of the bay; in image 1, you can see a body of water behind the lady, and then land (more rocks) behind the water.  From this perspective, Alcatraz is behind the observer.
Trying to work more with this perspective…
The immigration station is on the NNE side of Angel Island (see the map at
http://www.the4cs.com/~corin/photos/2004/genodix/2004071011080.html
).  Alcatraz, which has the warden’s tower, which seems to match nicely with the arched window in the rocks in image1, is SSW of Angel Island.  So if an observer is on Angel Island at the Chinese immigration monument, and they can see the Warden’s tower in the background, then they must be facing SSW, which means they have their back to the water.  For things to line up as in image 1, the observer would be standing
behind
the monument, which would be consistent with the woman’s silhouette being the mirror image of the outline of the monument.  But, all of this is contrary to the paragraph above.

I’ll carry that thought a little further…
The clock says “6:00” which can mean “behind you”.  Looking behind her we see land, then water, then land, then water, then land.  The middle “land” has the window/door with bars on it.  Alcatraz?
Here’s a stretch — the mountains just above her shoulders COULD be angel wings.  (Hey, I said it was a stretch.)
(Thanks, Jambone.  Your edit made my post redundant.
)

So I shared with you what I had reasoned up till about the end of June.
I should add that my colleague at work has been involved with this as well.  His name is Al Dahlgren.
We were stuck with this photo and the poem.
And then it hit!
We got something that we thought was really interesting.  It will probably jump out at you with a little direction.
I am going to see if you can figure it out.
It has  to do with symbolism and perspective..

Some time ago I mentioned the uncanny resemblance between the background of this image and that of Leonardo’s paintings “Madonna of the Rocks” and “Virgin of the Rocks.” A nickname for Alcatraz is “The Rock.” I wonder if this was an intentional visual pun on the part of JJP…

Great one Forest.  Have you ever done an overlay with the Madonna of the Rocks to this painting?  Both frames are almost identical.
To the rest, you got most of it!  But not the most important part!
Not sure about the Alcatraz part or at least putting a lot of weight into it.
Does anyone know about the “Angel” of Angel island?

Andy, some folks on this forum have been working this puzzle for 20+ years. If it was going to jump out at us, it would have by now!
I’m all ears.

You need both pictures to see it.  It should jump out if you don’t try too hard.
Clue: Look on the left side of the pictures.

An overlay wouldn’t match up well. But just visually comparing them, it is hard not to see the resemblance in the backgrounds. Water on the left, weird rocks protruding everywhere and suspended in space, a woman in the middle, jewel at her throat… two paintings called “…of the
Rocks
” when Alcatraz is called “The Rock” (the barred window may be symbolic of a prison). Anyway, just thought I’d throw that out there.

I will have to disagree that they don’t match up well.
Look at image 1.  Notice how there is a line running through it?  It goes through where her elbows are.  That is where the bottom of the madonna of the rocks painting would go.

I
will have to disagree that they don’t match up well.
Look at image 1.  Notice how there is a line running through it?  It goes through where her elbows are.  That is where the bottom
of
the madonna
of
the rocks painting would go.

I tried lining them up and did find some simalarities as far as rock formations go.
I’m not sure if there is more to this or not but it seems to be too much of a coincidence.

I
tried lining them up and did find some simalarities as far as rock formations go.
I
‘m not sure if there is more to this or not but it seems to be too much
of
a coincidence.

Any found connections to the “Many Moons”
I found a link (probably forced) to poems written
on the Immigration Station Walls referencing
‘many moons’ and ‘full moons’ written by the
Japanese detainees.

Any found connections to the “Many Moons”
I
found a link (probably forced) to poems written
on the Immigration Station Walls referencing
‘many moons’ and ‘full moons’ written by the
Japanese detainees.

Did not find any connections to the 11 moons.
Went down the Space program route and asian route.
The only thing I came up with is that it is an important chinese symbol.
Jambone, you left one thing out from your observation!

Did not find any connections to the 11 moons.
Went down the Space program route and asian route.
The only thing
I
came up with is that it is an important chinese symbol.
Jambone, you left one thing out from your observation!

If you’re referring to the palm tree trunk resembling the table leg, I’m not sure I buy it. It is not a close match, and one would have to stand exactly where the photographer was standing.

If you’re referring to the palm tree trunk resembling the table leg,
I
‘m not sure
I
buy it. It is not a close match, and one would have to stand exactly where the photographer was standing.

The table leg always made me think of “Candlestick”

The table leg always made me think
of
“Candlestick”

ac3100

Jambone, you left one thing out from your observation!

Sorry, I can’t seem to figure it out.

ac3100

Jambone, you left one thing out from your observation!

Sorry,
I
can’t seem to figure it out.

What about the object next to it.

Next to what?  The table leg?  There ain’t much there…
Next to the rose is the clock with the bell on top, but it’s not much of a match for the bell down by the shore.  I’m stumped.

Next to what?  The table leg?  There ain’t much there…
Next to the rose is the clock with the bell on top, but it’s not much
of
a match for the bell down by the shore.
I
‘m stumped.

Okay, so while I was staring at this image, I found the numbers 37 and 38 in the lady’s hair.  Angel Island is at approximately 37 degrees 51 minutes north latitude – I scanned through this thread and didn’t see that these had been documented already – my apologies if I’m wrong.  The 37 is to the left of her neck, and the 38 is to the right of her face.

Okay, so while
I
was staring at this image,
I
found the numbers 37 and 38 in the lady’s hair.  Angel Island is at approximately 37 degrees 51 minutes north latitude –
I
scanned through this thread and didn’t see that these had been documented already – my apologies if
I
‘m wrong.  The 37 is to the left
of
her neck, and the 38 is to the right
of
her face.

Okay, so while I was staring at this image, I found the numbers 37 and 38 in the lady’s hair.
Angel
Island is at approximately 37 degrees 51 minutes north latitude – I scanned through this thread and didn’t see that these had been documented already – my apologies if I’m wrong.  The 37 is to the left of her neck, and the 38 is to the right of her face.

Sorry I guess I wasn’t very clear.
Compare the Girl, rose and the clock to
The Monument, tree and the billboard.
The billboard is the object directly next to the tree

Sorry
I
guess
I
wasn’t very clear.
Compare the Girl, rose and the clock to
The Monument, tree and the billboard.
The billboard is the object directly next to the tree

If the G and the h are backwards, by flipping the pic horizantally, you can see them the right way.  Maybe the claws should be looked at the same way.
http://www.freewebs.com/boogieman13/page1.htm
Looks like f and p.  I know Fulton St has been mentioned.
How about Fulton Place or something similar?

erexere

Damn, thats straight up cold blooded. .

I’ll say, he seems to be a bit of an Ass.
Any way to post here basically what he took down because it conflicted with his ideas….
If you got the Golden Gate Park map available in the 1980s
then overlaid the map – because the tourist map was not an accurate map, the outline of the dress panel fit perfectly
including the neckline (the map showed the Great highway as a curving line)
The map also labeld the Great highway with an upper case G and a lower case h using the font shown on the dress.
Back in 2000 I had that map and scans and posted those things on the original quest board. sadly that was many computers ago so I don’t have those files.
Here is a more modern map
As you can see the fingers point to the 3rd line and the 4th line and the fingers lined up with 34th ave.
how you could possibly translate that as 4 and 4 is beyond me…
34th ave runs straight from golden gate park to lincoln park
Exactly following the methodology of chicago & cleveland, I dont need to go over that again it’s in the forums
once you’re at the treasure ground
visual site confirmers are :
among others…
The verse fits The Betsy Ross Flagpole was the tallest flagpole on the west coast- definitely a Giant Pole.
Sadly since then the dirt parkinglot was paved and renovated.
you can see there is now a flowerbed, sidewalk and statue there

@ Oregonian
I really love the work you are doing to the secret wiki, it had been languishing for ages.
On the other hand, deleting anybodies entries but your’s kind of defeats the purpose of a wiki.
MaltedFalcon.

Oregonian…. I would also ask that you not include any PDF copies of the book on the wiki, regardless of their completeness. The documents were created illegally and the person who made them is not too keen on there dispersion. Especially when they are PDFs created with pirated Adobe software, and the data on the files allows for the creator to be identified. The creator might also have intended the file(s) to be used by those in a small group that already owned the book, and not the general public.
You feel me? TIA.

Glossiphoniidae

Oregonian…. I would also ask that you not include any PDF copies of the book on the wiki, regardless of their completeness. The documents were created illegally and the person who made them is not too keen on there dispersion. Especially when they are PDFs created with pirated Adobe software, and the data on the files allows for the creator to be identified. The creator might also have intended the file(s) to be used by those in a small group that already owned the book, and not the general public.
You feel me? TIA.

Careful!, if you post stuff that doesn’t support his views on thewiki he deletes your user account.

maltedfalcon

Careful!, if you post stuff that doesn’t support his views on thewiki he deletes your user account.

Yeah, I just took a look at the wiki based on your original comment and am none to pleased.
@Oregonian, Did you seriously just join in the forum, take all our information, and are now posting it elsewhere?
Why do you think it is a good idea to disseminate all the information that we (Q4T) have worked on in such a public manner, especially when we know that the number of hunters is about to expand? Are you trying to give the noobs a leg up? I was under the impression that the wiki hadn’t been updated in a while because it was quickly realized to be a bad idea. Have you thought this through? Cause, yeah… those wiki updates sure make me want to share more information on the forum.
I might just be in a shitty mood, but seriously.

maltedfalcon, I really like that visual derivation for 34th street. Solid. If just that one piece of visual information is correct, then we should be pretty damn close to the casque based on a route that involves that street.

erexere

maltedfalcon, I really like that visual derivation for 34th street. Solid. If just that one piece of visual information is correct, then we should be pretty damn close to the casque based on a route that involves that street.

Well I had the whole solution posted at the wiki.
unfortunately it conflicted with oregonian’s theory so he took it down and then deleted my wiki editor account.

Damn, thats straight up cold blooded.
Whoa, 34th street goes right up to the Palace of the Legion of Honor. That’s refreshing.

Goldengate, I’ve also found old magazines to be a resource. I was interested in the Legion of Honor art exhibits back around 1980, so i found an article in Sunset Magazine. Unfortunately I didn’t find anything I could use.

Choice

Maybe it’s Merlin’s time machine.

This is how MERLIN does time travel –
http://riopretobeerclub.com.br/uploads/ … 1914aa.jpg

Thank you Goonie! I’m on the run right now but can’t wait to start looking at everything.

I like Huntington falls on Strawberry Hill as a potential Casque location. Looking up at the first wooden bridge from the bottom I can see three wooden vertical posts that seem high from down below. Crossing those bridges could be interpreted to be a giant step. The paddle boats could be an object of Twain’s attention although I feel better if we had a bigger connection to Twain. Also standing below the falls with the rocks, it sure looks like the water and rocks in the image. From the book there is the passage that says “ The Nymphs of Hellas cherish sweet Aquamarine, spring-water clear. From far Cathay”. I don’t have a giant pole though.
Can anyone make a decent argument for a case in favor Huntington Falls and Strawberry Hill? Also I have not been up to Strawberry Hill yet so I don’t know what the view looks like and what site confirmers that you can see from up there.

Polo can be interpreted as pole

Goldengate

Hey Rviewer1,
Just a reminder — while Huntington Falls shares some strikingly similar aspects to Image 1, know that 100% the falls were still non-operational an in fact in a collapsed state in 1981. The falls collapsed in the early 60s and stayed that way until 1984 I believe they went through extensive renovations, engineering and retrofitting, including the manufactured rock work that you see today. The bridges were also washed out during that collapse until they were rebuilt. The falls were always a “fake feature” and not natural — as are most of the rocks most of which are actually concrete and was remade for the 84. I forgot if I posted the documentation in this thread — but it can easily be found on the internet. In my next post, I’m putting up a great 1981 article from the San Francisco Examiner — I think it should be read carefully by everyone.

Hello Goldengate and Rivewer1,
I really appreciate all of the posts and answers. I liked the Huntington Falls idea but was happy to see Goldengate clear up anything about that time frame in Golden Gate park. I have been working on a solve that would take me into the park at the Senior Center and onto JFK drive. I spent a long time looking at the falls and the rock around that area. I didn’t know it collapsed before 1981 and stayed that way until 1984. That is the sort of ideas I love about this forum. I have read through this thread and the verse thread a few times and I still miss a lot. I have started a list of the Dig sites and will post it soon. I’m at work right now and should get off this right now. YIKES I’m obsessed! And here is to Goldengate and all the others who have helped newbies like me out.
. Also, I can’t wait to read the article from the Examiner.

Thanks Goldengate. That is the toughest part of this hunt. You always have to go back and check to see how things were in 1981 and then, has anything changed since 1981. There is that 1907 Bronz Sundial done by M. Earl Cummings that now sits in front of the De Young Museum. Does anyone know where that was located in 1981?

erexere

maltedfalcon, the Enterprise was the name of that first balloon ride.  You’ve focused on pic 1 with verse 5 for SF right?   I’ve become convinced verse 5 goes with pic 6, so I’m not able to help further your SF approach that way.  Could verse 10 work?  Does the pic have a CA shape hidden anywhere?
I totally see the SF in pic 1, it’s practically a rebus.  I think it’s potentially misleading, but putting us on a stepping stone in the right direction.  In the Japanese Internment theory it works because people of Japanese origin were gathered from SF and taken to Manzanar in next to Sierra Nevada, but the “No-No Boys”, people who failed to answer two specific questions pertaining to renunciation of all loyalty to Japan and whether they would be willing to serve in American military, were sent specifically to Tule Lake.  Tule Lake was seen as the “Alcatraz” of Japanese Internment. I think I actually read that somewhere (sorry, no citation).  Hence the prison gate in the mountain.  Tule Lake is in an area next to the National Lava Beds, so there are lots of volcanic formations including large cinder cone (large grey giant?).  Typical volcanic rock colors are reddish orange and grey.  I think verse 10 works with this in a very significant way, because I found a memorial stone that looks similar to pic 1 (neck line below collar) and is located in the area of aisle B on a grid plot that has rows/columns ranging E through K.  Extrapolation is required to see the location as aisle B.

Carried over from verse 5 discussion, really a verse 10 topic.

a minor problem with your theory is the lat/lon of san francisco is prominent in the image.
however that lat/lon of tule lake is not.

Sorry if this has been posited before, but since the Lincoln Higway and 34th Ave intersect right in front of the Legion of Honor, think of all the visual images that line up at that spot and how they fit well with Verse 7.
I won’t get into the ones that have already been discussed recently — and there are a lot — but how about this?
“Running north, but first across
In jewel’s direction
Is an object
Of Twain’s attention”
There is a scuplture of Joan of Arc astride a horse galloping (“running”) north. The sculpture is on the left side of the entrance and has been there for many decades. You can see it very plainly in front of you at that spot. Okay, Joan of Arc, so what?
Mark Twain wrote a book about Joan of Arc. You can purchase a copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Personal-Recollec … oan+of+arc
Here’s what Twain himself said of his book:
I like Joan of Arc best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others needed no preparation and got none. –Mark Twain
I have an email in with the Legion of Honor about the two lions that have stood guard at the entrance since… well, forever. I asked if they had any particular names or titles. Perhaps something that was once covered in a visitor’s brochure, but is no longer common knowledge. If I hear back that they’re called “Education” and “Justice”, or something very similar… wow.
I may drop by this weekend just to take some photos of all that can be seen from that spot.