San Marcos Ghost Bridge Traditional Cache
Prime Reviewer: As there's been no cache to find for months, I'm archiving it to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.
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Size: 
(small)
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Thompson’s Island Bridge, across the road and near where you probably parked, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Confederate soldier. Since at least the 1920s there have been reports of his ghost appearing periodically, dressed in his grey and yellow uniform and toting an old rifle. In 1939, two men fixing a flat tire here were startled by the figure of a tall man wearing a rebel cap and carrying a rifle. One of the men went for a gun in the car, but the apparition disappeared before he could confront it.
One story claims the soldier died here while guarding his post during the American Civil War. Another version says the ghost is a man who lived in a cabin near the bridge before the Civil War. When he and his brother went off to fight for the South, they promised each other that they would return home, no matter what. Although sightings are very remote, it is reported that the ghost is more active during wartime. You might try going by late at night… let us know if you see anything!
And if you don’t enjoy a good ghost story, this area is still a lot of fun! This is John J. Stokes Park, which many canoers, kayakers, and tubers use as an access point to the San Marcos River. At the beginning of Thompson’s Island, there is a man-made mill race that actually forms the island. Supposedly it was dug by slaves just before the start of the Civil War for William Thompson's mill. Over the years, the mill burned and was rebuilt more than once. Now, the small mill dam, an old warehouse, and some concrete foundations and ditches are all that remain.
The cache is now a Dole peaches jar. Original contents: log book & pencil; geocache magnet; gold star pin; crystal prism; small amethyst; dollar bill; and The Hitchhiker TB.
Then follow the trail further back and enjoy the hike. There are some nice spots for lunch, or bring a towel and do a little wading. The trail continues to where the mill race channel empties into the river and makes a fun "waterfall" for the kids to look at. Bring a garbage bag... great opportunity to get some trash out.
Special thanks to dbonnell1972 for helping us maintain this cache!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
1. Ng evire oraq, ghea yrsg vagb tebir.
2. Oruvaq ovt ebpx ng onfr bs gerr.
Treasures
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