Just north of the cache is Vaughters' Farm. The 114 acre farm was acquired by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in 2002, just two years before Mr. Vaughters death. The farm is now part of the newly designated Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and is bordered on the west, south, and partially on the north by Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.
The farm was the last operating farm in DeKalb County.
Mr. Vaughters purchased the farm in 1946 for $3,250 and built the barn himself in 1947.
The Vaughters' family lived in the stone dwelling across Klondike Road from the barn. In 2014, the dwelling was renovated to become the office for the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The Bike Trail passes by the open meadow and barn. For 30 years, Mr Vaughters raised Jersey dairy cows and Angus beef cows. He sold his last cattle in 1997. After that he cultivated and sold hay.
Mr. Vaughters, who also taught at Murphey Candler School, built the family home across Klondike Road out of local granite with the help of a seventh grade student.
The property includes the headwaters of Stephenson Creek which flows into the South River. Vaughters' Farm is part of Panola Mountain State Park and the headquarters of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.
Just south of a small picnic site below Vaughters' Farm is a pretty little waterfall that is active during rainy periods.
Vaughters Barn
Mr. Vaughters on his farm in 2002- photo courtesy of AJC
Closest parking is at the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area office parking lot on Klondike Road. From the parking lot, cross Klondike Road and follow the bike path south to the cache.
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Cell service will be limited in various areas on the AMNHA Geo-Path. If you are using your cell phone, you can download the cache info to your phone and travel the trails using the offline mode.
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This nature preserve, like other Georgia woodlands, has ticks during all but the winter season. Take precautions that include wearing a hat, a long sleeve shirt, and long pants with legs tucked into socks. Wear light colored clothing for ease of spotting ticks, especially deer ticks that are the size of a pin head. Use bug spray with the chemical DEET and especially spray around the ankle area. Additional info for tick prevention measures.
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Come explore the Arabia Mountain PATH and earn trackable prizes along the way!
The AMNHA Geo-PATH is a geocaching program spread along the entire 30+ miles of the Arabia Mountain PATH hike/bike trail. We have over 60 geocaches just waiting for you to find.
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See additional waypoints for parking coordinates, points of interests and trailheads.
Each cache is classified in one of following series:
Arabia Mountain Adventures
Lands Less Visited
Lithonia's Historic Hike
Panola Mountain Pathways
Past and Present Passages
South River Stroll
Download the passports to collect the passwords:
Geo-Path Passport
Lands-Less-Visited Passport
Past and Presents Passages Passport
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