UPDATED July 18, 2022 - Micro container has been replaced with an ammo can filled with "Back to school" items! There should be a couple of pens for the log book inside!
As you complete this historic tour of Fergus Falls, you'll be searching for numeric clues. These clues will help you determine the location of each subsequent stage in the tour, as well as the final location of the physical cache.
You'll need to plug the numeric clues into the following:
F - ________
E - ________
R - ________
G - ________
U - ________
S - ________
So, let's get started!
Stage 1:
You are in front of the oldest house in Fergus Falls (it's #212). Although this home has siding, it's actually constructed of logs. Its builder, Edward Grusendorf, moved here in 1869 and was the first minister in Fergus Falls. He was also the first justice of the peace in the township, elected in 1870.
Take a look at the cement steps leading up to the yard of this house. How many steps are there? Enter that number in F, and use it to find Stage 2!
Stage 2:
This building was constructed in 1901. The plaque at this location will tell you who was president here. Find the year that he died. Take the last three numbers of the year of his death and assign that to letter E.
Stage 3:
The marker at this location mentions a milestone for this facility. In 1990, how many years had this facility been in operation? Now, take that number and divide by 25. Enter that number in R on the grid.
Stage 4:
You will now be parked, or standing, beside the historic Cowing House. Built in 1883, this home was built by William H. Cowing who operated a hardware business in Fergus Falls. This house was owned by a number of prominent Fergus Falls businessmen throughout the years, until it fell into disrepair in the 1970s. I remember enjoying walking past this house in the 1980s and being completely creeped out by it, as it truly looked haunted. Most of the windows were broken out; paint was peeling; and rumors of hauntings circulated.
The home was purchased in 1982 by its current owners and restored to its current glory.
Take a look at the lovely wrap-around porch. Count how many spindles you see in the middle section of railing. Multiply by 1.5. Enter this number for letter G.
Stage 5:
A number of precious things were once lost in this city. How many were lost? Enter that for U.
Stage 6:
Park at:
Take the stairs down. Then navigate to:
Read the information about the building in front of you (and to the north). (Unfortunately, in the summer months, the leaves may obscure the building. Take a closer look at this building before you take off for Stage 7!)
Look at this information kiosk. Look at the photo that is top and center. When was the photo taken? 192__. Enter this missing number for S!
THE FINAL STAGE!
It's time to find the physical cache. A hint: you won't need to use your car to get it. You should be able to access it from your location at Stage 6.
Here are the coordinates:
- RF (S doubled).E (E must be rearranged here, so the even number is first, and the prime number is last!)
- -9F 0R.FSS
These coordinates might not get you right on top of the cache; that's OK! Here's a hint:
Find something interesting, written on stone, to read nearby. After reading, take 10 or 15 paces to the SOUTH (your left as you read the marker) where you'll find something interesting on the ground. Search for 1190.
From 1190, face due west. You'll see a smallish evergreen tree. The cache is hung on the back side of three at about 4' in height, near the trunk!
UPDATE July 10, 2020: This was once a micro hanging in a tree; City maintenance removed the cache, so I'd replaced it with an ammo container. That container is now gone, so we're back to a MICRO in a tree!
UPDATE 7/18/2022 - we're back to an ammo can! Look in thee back side of the above-mentioned tree.
Enjoy!