Four Corners of History Multi-Cache
Hidden : 12/15/2008
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

*** NOTE: Hide type has changed but all information will lead you to the exact same spot ***

This multi-cache will take you to an Intersection of Berkeley Springs, WV full of American History. As you find your way to the listed coordinates you will find yourself at the Intersection of Fairfax and Mercer streets just one block East of 522.

There you will find a plaque showing where George Washington owned two lots that he purchased in 1777.
They occupy the southeastern corner of Fairfax and Mercers streets.

On September 6, 1784, while visiting in Bath, Washington contracted with James Rumsey to build a house, stables and kitchen on the lots. Rumsey eventually built two rough structures. The lots are described in Washington's will in 1799; they were bought from the estate by his nephew, Bushrod. Robert Gustin bought the lots from the Bath Trustees in 1825; they had foreclosed because taxes were not paid. (visit link)

Looking North across the street you’ll see The Masonic Lodge/Visitors Center. It was built on the northeast corner of Mercer and Fairfax in 1907 by J.H. Hunter and Sons for Stoneleigh's Judge Kennedy as office space. It was leased to the Post Office which remained there until moving across Mercer St. in 1961.
The Morgan Messenger has been located on the lower level since 1909. The town’s oldest continuing business, it is still owned and operated by the family of its founder.
The easternmost room was used for more than a decade beginning in 1914 by the Womens Civic League as a Rest Room where country women could await their husbands doing business in town. (visit link)

The southeast corner of Washington and Fairfax St. and east along Fairfax was a densely built commercial area of town from the late 19th century through the disastrous fire of 1974 when all its buildings were destroyed including the Washington Hotel.
Dawson's Variety was the first structure rebuilt in 1975. Its site has a long history as a location for retail operations.
The present BB&T Bank was constructed in 1978 on the hotel site. Prior to construction of the Washington Hotel by George Biser in 1905, the corner held a dwelling that occasionally served as a boarding house. In the 1880s, Beverly Tucker rented it as his family cottage. Tucker was a US Government official turned Confederate agent who became a friend of postwar presidents including Harrison and Garfield, The Washington Hotel was the mainstay of the early 20th century resort industry also housing several businesses within its structure.

Among the most prominent of the commercial buildings on Fairfax St. destroyed by the fire was the Opera House built by W.H. Young in 1905. The town’s first motion pictures were shown there in 1909 and continued through the mid-20th century under a variety of names and managers. Many events were staged in the Opera House which could seat 450, had a 22-foot ceiling and a large stage. At various times it also held the Town Hall and an indoor miniature golf course. (visit link)

The County Court complex fills the northern side of east Fairfax St. The Mercer St. corner was the site of the Dunn Hotel, built in 1903 after razing a livery. The hotel was damaged by arson in 1935. For two years the building was removed piecemeal while the site was proposed first for a community building, then a jail. By 1937 the corner lot was vacant and remained so until 1960 when the current structure was built. It served as the Berkeley Springs Post Office from 1961 until the Magistrate Court took possession in 2002.

The empty lot next door, until 1997, held one of the town's oldest structures: a covered-over log structure known in the 20th century as the Harmison then Heare building. It served as dwellings and shops. The County Commission office to the west is located in a much-renovated structure that became the town library in 1974.

The Morgan County Courthouse which was destroyed by fire in 2006 was on the corner of Washington and Fairfax street was the third since the county was established in 1820 from sections of Berkeley and Hampshire counties.
The second courthouse was built on this site in 1845 after the first one, located at Wilkes and Fairfax streets, was destroyed in the 1844 fire. The latest structure that was destroyed by fire, with its clock tower, opened in September 1908.
The stone urn in the reflecting pool of Berkeley Springs State Park was placed in front of courthouse #2 in 1891 by the Village Improvement Association then moved in 1908. An addition was constructed to the Courthouse in 1923.
The third courthouse was a neo-classic of light colored pressed brick, rustic sandstone trimmings and Ionic capitals on pilasters. Traditional awnings were restored in 2002.
Attached to the Courthouse on Washington Street is the Sheriff’s Office. It was renovated in 1989 from a jail and jailer’s residence most recently built in 1962, third in a series. The first jail built on on this site in 1874 generated complaints about windows that opened onto the town’s main street. The second jail was built in 1938 after considering several other sites.

As you can see, the Court house ( #4 ) has been Completely Rebuilt on its original footprint in 2010 fashion.
(visit link)

************ NOW FOR THE CACHE SEARCH**********

The listed coordinates take you to the plaque only (NO CACHE AT FIRST LOCATION) Enjoy the history, enjoy the town then read the plaque to get the answers to find the cache.

The cache you seek is a a micro hidden inside a slightly larger host, some room inside the host to leave travelers and their hitchhikers. Please replace log inside cache to keep it dry.

Be careful when looking, as Muggles are everywhere. Once you think you have it, take your time.

Make sure you bring a pen, as one is not provided.

To find this cache you’ll have to view the plaque at the original coordinates and use it to answer the questions to complete the final Cache. All answers will be derived from the date on the last line of the plaque.

N 39* AB. C75

W 078* DE.622

A is – the third number of the year
B is – the second number of the year minus two ( - 2 )
C is – (adding) + the two numbers together in the day date
D is – the last number of the year
E is – the third number of the year

*** Congratulations to PilotJ and Crew for a Great FTF !!! ***

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zntargvp

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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