The
printed MML Passport is no longer available. However, you may
download a copy from the MML website
here.
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 two 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.
The Farquhars from Pennsylvania settled Union Bridge (originally
called Buttersburg) as a farming community before the Revolutionary
War. The town still maintains the quiet, slow-paced charm that
characterized its beginning and that nurtures ingenuity and
creativity among its townspeople.
As early as 1811, Jacob R. Thomas designed and assembled the
world’s first reaping machine. Invention of the “knuckle”
railroad-car coupler grew from a need of the Western Maryland
Railroad, headquartered in Union Bridge. Noted sculptor William
Rinehart was born here; his works can be seen in Washington, D.C.,
and Rome, Italy. The works of contemporary sculptor Joe Isrealson
can be seen in Historic Oella Mill in Ellicott City, at the Holt
Center for the Arts in Baltimore, and at the Firehouse Studio in
Union Bridge. Local poet and artist Richard Eichman was named Poet
Laureate of Union Bridge in 1998.
Lehigh Portland Cement Company continues a long history as the
town’s leading industry. Since early in the 20th century, a large
portion of the residents of Union Bridge have been employed by
Lehigh or its predecessor, Tidewater.
Stage 1: N39 34.236 W77 10.629. Coordinates are to the parking
lot behind the Western Maryland Train Depot (turned museum). To
find the final location cachers must locate the Telegraph &
Ticket Office and answer two questions. The twist to this
multi/puzzle is that cachers must look through a window to locate
the WM Train Bulletin stating the train route numbers and times
they pass though. The museum is supposed to be open on Sundays
1pm-4pm but I'm not sure of the reliability of that schedule.
Regardless, the information is available to peeping toms.
Two-for-one special. There is a USGS Benchmark on the corner of the
first building at knee height.
As you would expect, the restored train depot and museum are
adjacent to active tracks. Standard precautions are required.
Stage 2: To calculate the final location complete the following
coordinates –
N39 34.AAA N77 10.BBB
AAA = (Eastbound train # due on Sundays - 3).
BBB = (WM Train Bulletin Year - 1044).
Container is a typical Lock-N-Lock clear plastic container with
stamp and log book.
The Town of Union Bridge Thanks You for
Visiting.
Thanks to ClueSeeker for helping with this hide!
Thanks to the Maryland Geocaching Society for assisting
with this project!