The
printed MML Passport is no longer available. However, you may
download a copy from the MML website
here.
The stamp is missing from this cache. Be sure to stamp your
passport at another MML hide within this district and record the
code word.
The
trail consists of 11 MML Districts (regions).
The MML Geocache Trail project will launch January 1, 2009 with 78
participating cities and towns. A trackable geo coin will be given
to the first 500 geocachers as an incentive for locating at least 2
municipal caches in each of the 11 districts. To be eligible for
the coin, geocachers must pick up a Passport at any of the
designated county visitor centers. Geocachers must use the stamp in
the cache on their Passports and write down the cache code word
listed in each cache. After at least municipal caches in each
district are discovered, geocachers may return to one of the county
visitor centers and have their Passports validated to receive their
collectable coin.
For a complete list of participating visitor centers visit the MML
web site at http://www.mdmunicipal.org/mmlhome/index.cfm or MGS web
site at www.mdgps.org.
“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,” the voice of Barbara
Fritchie rang out in defiance across the dusty streets of Frederick
Towne in 1862. The feisty Union sympathizer was taunting the
passing troops of General Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, vigorously
waving a Union flag. This encounter, and Stonewalls’ refusal to
allow his troops to touch the flag or the gray head, inspired the
great poet Whittier to immortalize Fritchies’ actions and cement
his images of a town with “clustered spires” for all time.
Up from the meadows rich with corn, Clear
in the cool September morn,
The clustered spires of Frederick stand,
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.
Frederick has served as a major crossroads since colonial times.
Gen. Braddock passed on his way to a fatal ambush at Fort Pitt.
Armies blue and gray occupied and marched through it on their way
to grave and potent deeds. Their tracks and trails, coupled with
latter day road building, have placed the city at the intersections
of many major highways- I-70, I-270, 40, 40a 340, 15, 144, 85, 355,
26 and more. Seemingly, all roads lead to Frederick, and the
scramble to keep traffic flowing smoothly keeps road builders busy
in perpetuity.
Come visit the historic center of Frederick's legal and
political administration. Three court houses served the town at or
near the present site. Initially, legal proceedings were conducted
in “The Dutch Meeting House” and later moved upstairs at Mrs.
Charton’s Tavern on the southwest corner of Market and Patrick
Streets.
Built in 1750, the first courthouse, a wooden structure, would
see a scant 30 years of service before a second seat of
jurisprudence was built. This one lasted 77 years before burning
down in 1861. Some at the time claimed the fire was deliberately
set.
The second edition served justice for 121 years. The third, and
current courthouse, was completed in 1982. Several years later the
abandoned courthouse was purchased, renovated and today houses City
Hall.
Come discover a Geocache on the site of this 146 year old
structure. The cache is a 1.5 quart Rubbermaid container.
While you are downtown, be sure to visit the historic heart of
Frederick along Market and Patrick Streets. Stroll along the scenic
Carroll Creek Promenade and view the incomparable Bridge Mural.
Civil War buffs will relish The National Museum of Civil War
Medicine.
Frederick is nick-named the Key City, for Frances Scott Key, who
lived in Frederick, wrote the words to our National Anthem, and is
buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in the heart of the City. Mt. Olivet,
too, is a treasure worthy of notice.
The City of Frederick thanks you for
visiting.
Thanks to DonFish24 for helping with this hide!
Thanks to the Maryland Geocaching Society for assisting
with this project!