This is one in a series of multi-caches at Peoria's historic Springdale Cemetery. The preliminary stages guide you to points of interest that hold clues. The final cache location is in one of the many wooded areas.
Bring along the map in the gallery. Besides guiding you around the winding roads, the map has been modified to identify locations referenced in the stages.
Please show appropriate respect to the markers and grounds. Instructions are added to minimize disruption to the property. The cemetery dates from 1854. While the large grounds show signs of age, recent restorations have brought out the beauty and potential of what could be done.
Stage 1 Governor Ford
At posted coordinates.
Thomas Ford was the eighth governor of Illinois (1842-1846). He is number 9 on the map.
His monument lies just north of the original entrance to the cemetery. If you approach from the south, you view the area as early visitors saw it. The picture shows the entrance gatehouse before it was demolished.
A=the number shown as the day of death.
B=the third digit of the year of death.
Stage 2 Lightner Monument
N 40 43 318
W089 34 230
Hervey Lightner is one of the cemetery founders and has been called the "builder of Springdale Cemetery." His monument, number 13 on the map, is the tallest in the cemetery. Near the top of the monument is a number.
X=the digit to the left of the 7.
Stage 3 Lydia Moss Bradley
N 40 43 162
W089 33 935
Lydia Moss Bradley, businesswoman and philanthropist, is the name in Bradley University and Bradley Park. Her father, Zealy Moss, is buried nearby, the only known Revolutionary War soldier in Springdale. A monument with family graves is number 2 on the map.
Y=her month of death as a number.
Z=the last digit of her year of death.
Stage 4 Christian Buehler
Substitute the clues from above.
N 40 43 AB9
W089 33 XYZ
Christian Buehler made a fortune in Chicago real estate. The family mausoleum, positioned to shine in the afternoon sun, is on the edge of Fairview Lawn.
You are looking for a medium-size plastic container with log, pencil and trading items.
Daylight caching only. The cemetery closes to vehicles at dusk.
See the gallery for location photos.
Placed with permission from Pat Lewis, Springdale Cemetery Management Authority. Other maps are available on the Web and at the cemetery office.
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