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National Springfield Series - Bart LbNA #26089 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 5, 2006
Location:
City:Springfield
County:Union
State:New Jersey
Boxes:1
Planted by:Parrothead
Found by: JerseyTrailblazers
Last found:Jul 8, 2007
Status:FFFFFa
Last edited:Oct 5, 2006
According to Wikipedia, you can find a "Springfield" in 34 of the 50 states. This series is being created to honor all of the "Springfields" in the U.S. with some of their most famous (?) residents.... the Simpsons, of course!

C'mon, kids - collect 'em all!

This letterbox is near Springfield, NJ.

The little known but extremely critical Battle of Springfield was fought here, the last of many battles of the American Revolutionary War to be fought in New Jersey.
The Battle of Springfield was long thought to have been a raid in force, however, British records came to light in the 1800's that showed it was an attempt at gaining a strategic foothold in New Jersey by capturing the American headquarters in Morristown.

When Hessian general Baron von Knyphausen moved in force toward the Hobart Gap, American troops decided to take a stand in the small village of Springfield. As it turned out, George Washington had held his general headquarters in Springfield until the day before, but left the defense to General Nathaniel Greene.

British and Hessian forces launched a two-pronged attack along Vauxhall Road and Galloping Hill Road. American forces were entrenched at the Rahway River crossings in anticipation of both the attacks and held their ground. Units of the attackers crossed the river elsewhere and attempted flanking maneuvers toward the town center of Springfield and the foot of the Short Hills. American forces in reserve also repelled these attacks. Further American reserves were held in the hills ahead, and Knyphausen's forces retreated.

Fighting was short and fierce, at one time the British launched five attacks in the span of 40 minutes. When retreating, British forces set fire to the village, burning down all but four buildings, of which three are still standing today.

The river crossings where American forces put up their defense were near today's intersection between Vauxhall Road and Millburn Avenue; and Morris Avenue near Washington Avenue.

This was the last major engagement of the Revolutionary War in the North and effectively put an end to British ambitions in New Jersey. Because the decisive battles of the war moved further south, the Battle of Springfield became known as the "forgotten victory."
(source: Wikipedia)

To find the letterbox, first find Echo Lake Park off of Springfield Ave. in Westfield, NJ.

Drive into the park, past the September 11th Memorial.

Just before the playground equipment on the right side of the road, you will see a low retaining wall, with parking spaces to the right (before the playground).

Step up onto the lowest part of the retaining wall and you will find a “hidden” picnic area with a table and a grill.

From the grill, take a compass reading of 32* and you will spot a “hole-y” tree.

Not far from the base of the tree are some fallen trees. Bart is tucked into the “uphill” side of one of these.

Don’t have a cow, man, and rehide carefully!