Strasburg's 250th Commemorative Geocache
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UPDATE AS OF 4/30/13: THANK YOU to all those who have visited and completed this series!! We will be archiving this listing in the very near future, but have pulled the cache container today as the commemorative coins are gone. We hope all of you will come back and visit Strasburg in the near future!
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The Citizens of Strasburg, Virginia would like to welcome you to our town. During 2011, you can come and celebrate our town's history, from its humble beginnings as a pottery center, to its official founding in 1761, to its involvement during the Civil War, to its cultural diversity, to its natural wonders, to its official incorporation in 1922, and to the present Strasburg: Crossroads of History and Nature!
Join us in our year-long celebration of the founding and history of our community by participating in Strasburg's 250th Commemorative Geocache.
Parking Area #1 - N38 59.250; W078 21.343
Parking Area #2 - N38 59.320; W078 21.616
This cache series can be done on foot, in all types of weather, and throughout 2011. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking around town. For the most part, there is very little elevation change, so the walk can be done by most able-bodies. Two parking coordinates have been provided in case you want to shorten the time just a little bit. There isn't always parking at every stop along the series, so you're best bet is to park at one of the parking coordinates and walk. Be sure to read the questions carefully and don't overthink the answers. Hint: The stop numbers of this cache series do not follow other stop numbers that you may see along the way.
This series is designed for the whole family; bring along the kids and enjoy a little history lesson while getting some great exercise and family time!
This multi-stage, puzzle cache will take you to important areas throughout the community; if you finish all of the stages and the puzzle, you should end up at a historic location where you will receive Strasburg's 250th Commemorative Geocoin (while supplies last)! That's right, a limited number of geocoins have been produced for this special geocache, so get out there and get caching!
The first to find will not only receive a geocoin for successfully completing the series, but will also get a "Passages of Time" Strasburg 250th Calendar produced for the year-long celebration.
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A Brief History of Strasburg
German settlers traveling south from Pennsylvania along the Great Wagon Road settled Staufferstadt (Stover Town, Strasburg) in the 1740s and chartered it in 1761. In contrast to the English culture found east of the Blue Ridge, Strasburg was settled with family farms and towns rather than plantations, few slaves, and German language, religions, architecture, and decorative arts.
This thriving agricultural community in the fertile bottomland along the banks of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River has scenic views of Massanutten Mountain, rolling pastures, and historic battlefields. Later nicknamed “Pot Town,” Strasburg also became a center for the production of both utilitarian and fancy earthenware and stoneware pottery. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many residents worked for the railroad industry and at limestone quarries; after World War II, other industries came to Strasburg, including paper and auto parts manufacturing. Today, Strasburg boasts a growing service economy, four museums, charming eateries, and numerous antique stores. Despite its location only 80 miles from Washington, DC, Strasburg maintains its hospitable small-town charm.
Located at the crossroads of major roads and rail lines, Strasburg was also at the crossroads of history. Playing a substantial role in the colonial history of Virginia’s Great Valley, Strasburg found itself in the thick of the Civil War battles of Fisher’s Hill and Cedar Creek. Discover more of this history through this geocaching series.
Stop #1 – N 38 59.250; W 078 21.343
The railroad played an important role in the life and economy of Strasburg from 1854, providing regular passenger service and transporting local agricultural products, including grain and fruit crops, to eastern markets. Rail transportation suffered extensive damage during the Civil War.
To get to stop #2, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the second digit of the total number of locomotives that were captured by Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson minus the first digit of the total number of locomotives stolen?
B – Harper’s Ferry is north of Strasburg; what is the first digit of the distance?
C – What is the last digit of the year in which the Battle of Cedar Creek took place?
D – What is the third digit in the year the locomotives were captured?
E – The Strasburg Stone and Earthenware Mfg. Co. is a Virginia Historic Landmark. What is the last digit in the year of the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Act?
F – What is the last digit in the year the Steam Pottery was built on this site?
Stop #2 Coordinates – N 38 59.ABC; W 078 21.DEF
At stop #2, read the brief history of Strasburg’s bustling main street, where architecture, theatre prices, and restaurants are brought to life in this historical description.
To get to stop #3, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the last digit of the year the Post Office was built?
B – What is the second digit of the Strand Theatre’s address?
C – What is the third digit in the year the Virginia Restaurant closed minus the third number in the Strand Theatre’s address.
Stop #3 Coordinates – N 38 59.424; W 078 21.ABC
At stop #3, read the historical marker that discusses Bank’s Fort, the hill in front of the marker, where Strasburg’s current water tower stands. Bank’s Fort had an important role in Strasburg’s history as it initially served as a fortification for the U.S. Army; one would be able to see over the town, the roads, and the railroad.
To get to stop #4, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the number of the regiment Cyrus Keister served in as a bugler?
B - What is the 2nd digit of the number of Jackson’s troops who wintered near Winchester?
C – What is the 3rd digit of the year that E.E. Keister bought the “Strasburg News?”
Stop #4 Coordinates –N 38 59.A09; W 078 21.BC9
At stop #4, read the historical marker that details Town Run and how important of a water source it was to Strasburg, how many businesses depended on the water for their operations.
To get to stop #5, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the third digit of the year Samuel Funk built his grist mill near the confluence of Town Run and the Shenandoah River?
B & C – What are the last two digits of the year that the log cabin was built?
D – What is the third digit of the year that the Methodist congregation trustees paid Adam Keister for a lot on the corner of Holliday and Washington Streets?
Stop #5 Coordinates – N 38 59.A51; W 078 21.BCD
At stop #5, read the historical marker that describes some of the town’s historic structures related to transporting passengers, where they stayed, and how they moved about the town.
To get to stop #6, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the second digit of the time of the morning train carrying the daily mail delivery?
B – What is the third digit of the address of the building to your left?
C – What is the third digit of the number of marriages Simon Harr performed between 1781 and 1796?
Stop #6 Coordinates – N 38 59.A7B; W 078 21.C01
At stop #6, read the historical marker that details the original activities in the building to your left, currently serving as Strasburg’s Community Library. Take a break on the porch if you need one; you’re about halfway through this walking series!
To get to stop #7, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the fourth digit in the amount deposited into commercial accounts in the original First National Bank, organized in 1907.
B – What is the second digit in the year that Ellen Crawford Hatmaker donated the residence for the library?
C – What is the second digit in the day of the fire that destroyed the original Kaplan’s General Store building?
Stop #7 Coordinates – N 38 59.A40; W 078 21.BC6
At stop #7, read the marker that discusses some of the architecture found around the Town of Strasburg, including common log cabin homes, how they were heated, and why they were built the way they were.
To get to stop #8, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the third digit in the year that the Shenandoah Valley Turnpike was chartered?
B – What is the last digit in the address of the Sonner house?
C – What is the first digit of the number of residents who petitioned the Virginia General Assembly to re-open “the direct road” to the local grist mill minus the second digit of this same number?
Stop #8 Coordinates – N 38 59.A1B; W 078 21.8C7
Welcome to the Sonner House, stop #8. Enjoy this log structure and check out the weatherboarding, attached to protect the original log structure. You’ll need to peek at the structure behind you to get some of your answers to the next set of coordinates. Don’t worry; it’s not far.
To get to stop #9, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – How many stories did the log cabin have that was built next door?
B – What is the last digit of the first year that Bell Pottery operated in this location?
C – What is the second digit of the address of the original Bell Pottery building?
Stop #9 Coordinates – N 38 59.ABC; W 078 21.846
At stop #9, this marker details more of the town’s historical buildings including several churches and schools. This marker also discusses the buildings that James Sonner built; his house, built as an attachment to his father’s house, is the one you just visited.
To get to stop #10, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the distance between the “town ford” and the “river bend ford.”
B – What is the first digit of the address of the Federal-style house known as Academy Hill?
C – In this parsonage house built by James Sonner, how many St. Paul Lutheran Church ministers lived here?
Stop #10 Coordinates – N 38 59.A6B; W 078 21.7C3
At stop #10, stop for a moment and take in the great view, looking toward the south and the area known as Sandy Hook or toward the east and Signal Knob, part of Massanutten Mountain. Read the marker about the role Signal Knob played in the Civil War.
To get to stop #11, answer the following questions and place them in the coordinates:
A – What is the first digit of Signal Knob’s distance above sea level?
B – How many other signal stations used during the war are mentioned?
C – What is the third digit in the year that the obelisk to your left was dedicated in memory of 136 fallen comrades.
Stop #11 – N 38 59.A75; W 078 21.7BC
Stop #11 – Your final challenge if you choose to accept it. Outside this building is a historical marker that tells a little about this building’s history, including serving as a hospital and as an ordinary. Enter this historical building and ask the staff at the counter if “Mrs. Murphy is cooking today?” This will end your successful walking tour of Historic Strasburg. Please sign the log book; bring your own stylus.
Thank you for visiting our town and for participating in this geocaching adventure. We hope you enjoyed it! And be sure to visit our calendar of events for 2011 at www.strasburgvachamber.org/strasburg250.
Now, sit down, relax, and enjoy a cold beverage or a lite bite!
CONGRATULATIONS TO FISHERSHILL1864 AND JR88FAN FOR THE SHARED FIRST TO FIND! Thank you for supporting geocaching and helping us to celebrate Strasburg's 250th birthday!
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