This cache is placed with permission. Please follow all park rules, noting that the park is open Sunrise to Sunset (no night caching, please).
Cell service will be limited in various areas on the AMNHA Geo-Path. Please plan accordingly.
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Remember to bring a pen, items to trade, and follow the recommended
Geocaching Etiquette.
CONGRATULATIONS TO RONBO FOR BEING THE FTF!
AMNHA Geo-Path Series
AMNHA: Vaughters' Farm
Passport: Past and Present Passages
Series: Past and Present Passages
Password: Located in the logbook
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Parking Options: See waypoints
The Last Working Farm
This cache is located just off the Arabia Mountain PATH trail. Just to the north, the open fields of Vaughters' Farm stretch out as a reminder of a very different DeKalb County.
Vaughters' Farm was the last working farm in DeKalb County. Today, the wide meadow and white barn feel peaceful and open, but not long ago, this land was part of a working agricultural landscape.
Vaughters Barn
A Life Built on the Land
Mr. Vaughters purchased this 114-acre farm in 1946 for $3,250 and built the barn himself in 1947. The family lived just across Klondike Road in a stone house constructed with local granite.
For decades, the farm supported a variety of agricultural work. Jersey dairy cows and Angus cattle were raised here for nearly 30 years. Later, after selling his last cattle in 1997, Mr. Vaughters shifted to growing and selling hay.
Beyond farming, he was also a teacher at Murphey Candler School. In fact, a seventh-grade student once helped him build part of the family home, a small detail that speaks to both the time and the community.
Photo credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Mr. Vaughters on his farm in 2002
Preserved for the Future
In 2002, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources purchased the farm, just two years before Mr. Vaughters passed away. Today, the land is part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and is surrounded by protected preserve land.
The farm includes the headwaters of Stephenson Creek and remains an important piece of the ecological and historical landscape. The nearby farmhouse has since been restored and now serves as the headquarters for the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.
Just south of the picnic area, a small waterfall appears after rain, adding another layer to this quietly dynamic place.
Before selling the farm, Mr. Vaughters shared a simple but powerful hope:
“Nearly all of DeKalb County is covered with homes and businesses. You can drive from Lithonia to Dunwoody and not find a piece of open land. I didn’t want that here.”
Today, standing near the barn and meadow, it is clear that his wish was honored.
Are You Ready To Find More Geocaches?
Come explore the
Arabia Mountain PATH
and earn trackable prizes along the way.
The
AMNHA Geo-Path
is a geocaching program spread across more than 30 miles of trail. Many geocaches are waiting to be discovered.
Download the passports
Geocaching Adventures Passport
Each cache is classified in one of the following series:
• Adventure Labs
• Arabia Mountain Adventures
• Geocaching 101
• GeoTour
• Lands Less Visited
• Lithonia's Historic Hike
• Panola Mountain Pathways
• Past and Present Passages
• South River Stroll
Completed the passports?
Choose one of the following options to claim your prize:
Scan and email the Arabia Alliance Team
Scan and mail Arabia Alliance office
Additional Links
Trail Maps and
Landmarks
Learn and
Activities
Tips for Hiking in the Summer Heat
Tips for Avoiding Ticks
Winter Hikes and Winter Wildlife
Waypoints and
Adding or Viewing Coordinates
Trails Map Type Option