In 1929 the villages of Fordson and Dearborn and part of Dearborn
Township combined to form the City of Dearborn. Dearborn began a
yearlong celebration in 2004 of its 75th anniversary, but
Dearborn’s roots go much deeper. This cache celebrates the
anniversary with a short tour of Dearborn's oldest buildings.
The cache is located at:
42 A B . C D E
083 F G . H I J
1. Captain Brown’s House (private residence--do not
trespass)--Oldest house in Dearborn was owned by Joe Brown and his
wife Mary. Look for Cptn. Brown's sign on front of house. It is at
far right when you are looking at the house. The last number of
date is D. Add first two numbers of date and subtract third
number of date use the result for E.
The U.S. Government's Detroit Military Arsenal was moved to
Dearbornville in 1833. Eleven arsenal buildings were clustered for
the garrison inside high brick walls, in the heart of what is now
the downtown business district of West Dearborn. The powder
magazine located outside the walls of the garrison adds a 12th
building to the arsenal. You can check out four of these buildings
on your next three stops.
2. Sutler’s Shop--Travel east to first corner then continue east
for three and a half blocks. Look for historical sign and building
made of old bricks. This was the original “corner store.” Located
at the northeast most corner of the garrison, it sold tobacco and
other needs of the soldiers. Add 4 to the height of the brick wall
and use the result for F and G.
3. Commandant’s Corner--Backtrack west to corner and head south
for one block. This house was built for the commandant of the
arsenal. Inside you will find a diorama of the arsenal, period
furnishings and portraits of people of local importance.
a. Civil War Memorial Sign--Check the on back of the brick wall
to the left of the Commandant’s Quarters. How many companies were
involved? Use that number for I and J.
b. Gun Carriage Shed--Look west directly across the street at
the building which has a date. This building was also part of the
arsenal. Note the old brick work. Add the address numbers of this
building and divide by 3. Use this number for C.
c. Wagner Hotel--Look to the southwest corner of this
intersection for the hotel built by Anthony Wagner. Wagner was one
of several brick contractors who made bricks for the arsenal. Use
the third number of this building’s date for H.
4. Powder Magazine--You will now need to travel two blocks east
and one block north. This building was not within the arsenal for
obvious reasons. Its walls are 30 inches thick and had large copper
doors at either end. Nathaniel Ross converted it into a home in
1883. It now houses collections of quilts and clocks among other
things and a pioneer school room. You can buy hard candy for a
treat. Subtract 2 from the depth of the well for A and
B.
Enjoy a free tour of the museums before you head for the main
cache, which is located in a park on the western border of
Dearborn. Original cache replaced with a 3 cup camouflaged plastic
container with a snap-top lid. Main cache is vulnerable to
“MUGGLES.” Plenty of material is available, so be sure to cover it
well. It has been muggled once. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!
Original contents include:
Assorted Small Stuff
CITO bags