GC12QYV OBM - Foundation (Unknown Cache) in Michigan, United States created by Foxgallagher

This cache has been archived.

foxgallagher: The container is gone and the location is undoubtedly compromised. Time to open the area up!

GC12QYV ▼

A cache by Foxgallagher Message this owner

Hidden : 5/7/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Midland would not exist if not for Herbert H. Dow and the Dow Chemical Company. As a tribute to this, I've created this puzzle cache near the first brine well.

Midland was not the first of Dow's attempts at instituting a business. He had failed multiple times before, and would need to reorganize this one a few times as well. During his university education, Dow had analyzed samples of brine from the Midland area. He came back and used an old steam engine in a flour mill he had rented. The engine changed the brine chemically into bromine, which was used back then in medicines and photographic chemicals.

Through the years, Dow's business has changed dramatically. According to their website, the Dow Chemical Company is the "leader in science and technology, providing innovate chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets."

There is a related cache in one of Midland's parks that has more information on the Dow Chemical Company. The park overlooks Dow Chemical and it's cooling ponds. It can be found listed as Whiting Overlook.

(Historical information found at http://www.chemheritage.org/classroom/chemach/electrochem/dow.html)

**The coordinates above are for the parking area nearest to the cache.**

To solve this puzzle, you will need to walk around the buildings across the rail trail and find the following information. None of the information requires you to enter any of the museums. You will also need to do some math, so take a pencil.

North Coordinates: What was the date that Herbert H. Dow arrived in Midland? You will need to write this in MMDDYYYY format. Take this number and subtract 3804214.

West Coordinates: What day did Dow succeed in producing bromine through electrolysis? Once again, you will need to write the date in MMDDYYYY format. Take this number and add 7374014.
Note: Bigfoot pointed out that there are two signs that have two different dates. The date you are looking for is NOT January 2.

This cache is part of the OffBeat Michigan Cache Series. To find similar caches, please visit the Offbeat Michigan webpage.