The final is walking distance from the parking lot where you will get the final information needed for the solve. ALLH means "A Little Local History"- a series of caches that highlight local points of interest.
Voices of Chantilly: Recollections and Stories from 22 Long-Time Residents is a wonderful local history compiled by Margaret Peck in 1996 that details the lives of the families who contributed their work, sweat, love, play and prayer while making Chantilly the fine place it is. The family names in here are seen throughout the community today- Coates, Lowes, Birch, Wrenn, Down, Newman etc.
After World War II, due to the proximity to a major market (DC), good transportation (W&OD RR) and advanced agricultural techniques (USDA Facilities in DC), Fairfax County become the leading dairy producing county in the United States in 1947. While many of the farms are gone, you can still see the family names and appreciate their longevity by visiting a few local cemeteries.
As you do, please do not visit during off hours or during church service.
The final coordinates are N38 54.ABC W077.DE.FGG
The first coordinates take you outside what is now the Oakton Baptist Church cemetery. You do not have to go in to get the answers. But I enjoy strolling through and matching names with local history. There is a grave surrounded by a large steel fence. Look at the Addams Family nature of the steelwork. The book states it may contain a Haight- the family who owned Sully Plantation through the Civil War and who have lived in the area since. To the right of this gothic-style fenced-in grave is a marker flush with the ground. Count up the letters in this person's title and subtract 5 for A. His family name is seen in a development east of Frying Pan park on West Ox.
Moving to the right, you see the gravestone of 1st Lt Albert Wrenn of Mosby’s Rangers. He was one of Mosby’s senior commanders and grew up around here. The Wrenn family built a house that is still standing in the Franklin Farm development 3 miles NNE. The gravestone to the right of Albert Wrenn is a relative. This relative whose first name starts with M was born in 18ED and died in 19XX. (BC = XX+9) (You did notice that I flipped the E and the D back there? Just checking.)
Want to go inside? Many Lees from Lee’s Corner Road and Leeton Manor (which is still there!). By the back fence to the left- see the name Pocahontas? Too bad I have already named MY daughter! What other family names in here are represented in local geography?
Now go to the second reference point. N 38 53.980, W 77 26.552
This is the Chantilly Baptist Church- a church with predominantly African American families. Surviving on this little patch of land NOT taken by the airport in the 60’s- it has been around in some form since 1880. Local family names found here are Newman, Coates, Ratcliffes, Haight and others. Gravestones mentioned below are along the driveway by some evergreen bushes and under the spreading branches of the big oak.
Check out the gravestone for William H. Newman. He was born in 18F0 and died in 1927. He was one of the founders of the church and his wife is buried next to him. Note: there are two William H Newmans- make sure you find the one who left this life in 1927. I am friends with a Newman who had no idea the history of this church!
Find Charles Levi Coates. What a cool middle name. He was born in 1903 and died in 193G. There was a Coates House on Centreville a mile north of Route 50 until winter of 2006. I miss that house and it's nice white fence.
You now have the coordinates for the find. Go get it! But do not climb any fences- please walk around
You are looking for a small cammoed NoVAGO ammo can. FTF Prize is Margaret Peck's book, Voices of Chantilly. A fine read with great pictures of the area in decades past.
Congratulations to Serrabou for FTF!!!
