This is the 7th cache in our new
series and the 9th sign. Despite the title you should find this
series full of learning opportunities. It will be about presidents,
historic events, the Civil War and much more. We hope you enjoy
this series. WARNING: Most
of the caches in this series will be road side stops, use extreme
caution. Some of these roads are very busy! All locations have a
place to pull off. Please use
extreme caution when doing this series! BYOP! The container
is small. This site has nearby parking as well as handicap parking.
The entire area is paved making it very easy for wheel chair
access. (If you are doing this in a wheel chair please see the hint
before attempting.)
Most of the signs in this series are
part of the West Virginia
Highway Historical Marker Program. The first signs were placed
in 1937 to encourage tourism.
The Sign will read:
Named in honor of the
inventor, James Rumsey, who made successful public demonstrations
of his steamboat on the Potomac River here on December 3 and 11,
1787. Opened and dedicated on July 15, 1939.
For more information about Jame
Rumsey or here. For
a Wikipedia write up go here. For
information about The Rumseian Society. For
Shepherdstown and other West Virginia history visit this link. For
a copy of the book written by James Rumsey on his
steam boat design.
Interesting facts about Shepherdstown. It was almost the capital
of the United States. It was the first town of WV (not without
dispute). The town of the inventor of the steamboat but not
recognized as such.
The sign refers to the old bridge that was just replaced with
the current one dated 2005.