N.... is for New Carlisle Traditional Cache

This cache is dedicated to the rich history of New Carlisle.

The site of New Carlisle was included in the lands ceded to the United States by the treaty made with the Potawatomie Indians on October 16, 1826. 

As the early settlers poured into the county, they were as diverse in culture and background as the part of the country they came from. Many were from New York State, Ohio and Southern Indiana and Kentucky. According to their talents and characteristics, they became a part of the rough frontier life. And so it was that early in 1834, Richard Risley Carlisle came to Olive Township from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Little is known of this man. While there are no authentic facts about him, aside from his old signature on old deeds, and papers, legend describes him as a dreamer and a wanderer.

 On June 4, 1835, Mr. Carlisle purchased in consideration of $2,000.00, 160 acres of ground, being a certain quarter section of land reserved to Lazarus Bourissa in and by the treaty of October 6, 1826.  By August 15, of the same year, Richard Carlisle had platted the town and named the streets after his native city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Richard Carlisle, however, was a spender also. He had many fine guns, the most expensive of that day and was known to be an excellent marksman. According to historical accounts of Olive Township, "He later went to England and toured the country giving exhibitions of his skill and marksmanship". In April of 1836, he mortgaged the entire 160 acres that he purchased from Lazarus Bourissa, bearing the date of June 24, 1835, to John Willits, a bricklayer from Pennsylvania.  On May 23, 1837, John Willitts issued a quit claim deed, back to Richard Carlisle, releasing the mortgage on the town.

 According to legend, Richard Carlisle returned to America, after touring England, and became a theatrical man. The last heard of him, was that he was known on the stage as Richard Risley and owned a small circus. He stopped in New Carlisle, one day, while the train took on wood and water.  He said then, that he intended to return to the town named for him, but he never did. Needless to say Richard Carlisle is not buried in the New Carlisle cemetery.

 In 1863, at the public meeting of the citizens of New Carlisle, the New Carlisle Cemetery Association was organized. The organization purchased two acres of ground west of town from J.H. Service, paying $100.00 per acre for the land.  The first person buried in the New Carlisle Cemetery was Mrs. Ida Threadwell who died in the fall of 1863. The Women's Relief Corporation raised funds to erect a monument in honor of our soldiers buried there. 

A memorial to honor the soldiers of the "War of the Rebellion", or civil war stands at the entrance to the cemetery.

No Night Caching in this area please!