Mechanicsburg dates back to the early 1800’s, it originally
served as a halfway point and Conestoga wagon repair stop between
Harrisburg and Carlisle. The name of the borough relates to these
early wagon mechanics. Rather than type in the rest of the
Wikipedia entry, I'll provide the link. Another excellent source of historical
information on Mechanicsburg is the Mechanicsburg Museum
Association web site, which provides descriptions of several of
the historical buildings that can be seen on this walking tour of
Main Street.
Main Street Mechanicsburg today has an eclectic mix of small
shops and businesses, including several music shops, financial
businesses (even one tax company with an unusual advertising
strategy during tax season), an art gallery, and more.
On to the cache, this is a typical read the signs and write down
clues to get to the final style cache - each location has a sign,
cornerstone, or something similar, just walk around, write them all
down, and plug each number in to get the final coordinates.
Safety notes, depending on the time of day, you might be able to
drive around and do this, but parking in front of most of the
buildings is limited and it is just as quick to walk it, and more
fun to boot. It’s about one mile total. All clues are visible from
the sidewalk, no need to go onto private property or inside any
buildings. The railroad line between Main Street and Allen Street
by the parking area is used a few times a week. You do not need to
search on or cross the tracks for any part of the cache.
The Mechanicsburg Museum Association owns several buildings next
to the parking area. These originally served the Cumberland Valley
Railroad and include the old Stationmaster’s house, the Passenger
Station, and the Freight Station. An old railroad car is also in
this complex and serves as the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce
office.
Clue A - N40 12.831 W 77 00.519, there is a sign providing
information on the Cumberland Valley Railroad. Write down the year
the railroad was incorporated.
Clue B - N40 12.840 W 77 00.505, there is a sign on the side of
the building marking a time capsule. Write down the year the time
capsule will be unearthed and opened.
Head south a block to Main Street, then head west, you will pass
the old police station, and lots of interesting shops and even a
tattoo parlor. Several popular eating establishments are on the
west end of main street, including Diener’s and JoJo’s pizza.
Clue C - N40 12.753 W 77 00.625, the cornerstone of the pizza
shop has two different years on it. Write down the earlier (lower
#) year.
Walk east back to the town square, where you will find a bank
and a civil war historical marker.
Clue D - N40 12.795 W 77 00.473, write down the year the bank
was erected. Hint - look up.
Clue E - N40 12.795 W 77 00.473, write down the lower number of
cavalrymen that rode through Mechanicsburg from the historical
marker. Note - D and E are the same coordinates, the signs aren't
in the same place but you can see them from the same place.
Clue F - N40 12.793 W 77 00.462, write down the first name of
the supervising engineer.
Continue east passing Eckels, a briefly famous local movie
landmark, and across the street to the Frankeberger Tavern. It is
the oldest building in town and has an interesting history, which
can be found on the Museum Association web site.
Clue G - N40 12.870 W 77 00.247, write down the second year on
the sign hanging from the building.
Turn back west, this isn’t a clue, but along the way at N40
12.858 W 77 00.288 stop and see if the trains are running. Please
don’t go in the yard. I drive thru Main Street almost every day and
I didn’t know this little treasure was here.
Continue on to the fire station and Union Church. Union Church
is the town’s oldest public building, built in 1825. There is a
park bench in front of the fire station, it is next to the final
clue and a good spot to sit and work out the final coordinates.
Clue H - N40 12.826 W 77 00.401, write down the year when the
ladies auxiliary presented the upper sign.
The final is computed as follows N40 AB.CDE W77 00.FGH:
Clue A - Year the railroad was incorporated, last digit.
Clue B - Year the time capsule will be opened, first digit.
Clue C – Earlier year on pizza shop cornerstone, third
digit.
Clue D - Year the bank was erected, third digit.
Clue E - Lower number of cavalrymen, first digit.
Clue F - First name of the supervising engineer, number of
letters.
Clue G - Second year on sign, last digit.
Clue H – Year on upper sign, third digit.
The final is nearby and is easy, at least it should be. If the
coordinates lead you someplace that isn’t obvious, please check
your math before venturing onto private property or tearing
anything up. The sum of A-H is 32.
Extra credit – completely optional, but email me if you get
these. You will walk past all of them.
What was the street number of the former police station?
Where was JoJo’s before this?
What was the original purpose of the building left of the bank
(clue's D and F)?
What movie was Eckels in?