Coordinates above are for the for Old
Stone Tavern
Driving south on Route 9 is a time to relax and enjoy the lack of
traffic, marshes, farms and small towns. The only thing that could
possibly cause tension is watching the speed limit through Leipsic
and Little Creek. Actually, the two towns are the north and south
borders of Little Creek Hundred. Today the towns are just small
residential areas. However, in the mid to late 1800’s, it was
another story.
Originally Little Creek was bordered on the
east by the Delaware Bay, on the west by the Maryland state line,
on the south by the Little Creek and on the north by the Leipsic
River. In 1869 the area of the hundred was reduced when all the
land lying west of the Delaware Railroad became part of Kenton
hundred—making Little Creek hundred the smallest in the
state.
Those sleepy little towns of Little Creek and Leipsic were major
shipping areas with bustling docks and many workers loading ships
that went up to Philadelphia and all over the world with local
oysters, marsh hay, grain and lumber. Ship building was another big
industry, especially in Leipsic. The towns were vibrant
self-supporting areas.
Even Port Mahon was a bustling port—actually, at one time the
best shipping point on the bay. Although there were never many
houses built in the area, a lighthouse was erected in 1830 and
housed the lighthouse keeper and his family. It was rebuilt 4 times
until 1903 because the erosion caused by storms on the Delaware
River caused the lighthouses to become unsafe. The last lighthouse
burned down in 1984. To see a replica of the original lighthouse,
take a look at the clubhouse at Jonathan’s Landing golf course.
The coordinates above will place you in front of the Old Stone
Tavern. There is a sign that explains the history of the old
building and dates you will need to figure the location of the
offset cache.
The first date will be: the year the
photo was taken of the Old Stone Tavern. Take the four digit number
and subtract 1107. The number will equal = ABC
The second date will be: the house was built some time before this
year. Take the four digit number and subtract 888. This number will
equal = XYZ
Now to locate this offset cache, replace the numbers for the
letters in the following: N39 10.ABC W075 26.XYZ
Parking for cache is located at: N39 10.709 W075 27.182
This is a wildlife area and hunting is
allowed.