Iron Work Farm Geocache Mystery Cache
Massquerade: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note. The cache owner should retrieve any remaining cache contents at their earliest convenience.
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Finding the final cache (standard ammo box) requires visiting two historical buildings in South Acton, Jones Tavern and the Faulkner Homestead, to get clues. Do a bit of detective work and a little easy math to come up with the final coordinates.
The sites are separated by a 5-minute walk (or 1 minute drive) across 2 busy streets with sidewalks. The coordinates above are for parking at Jones Tavern, 128 Main Street, Acton. The two properties are owned by the Iron Work Farm in Acton, Inc., a preservation organization dedicated to their stewardship. The cache is hidden on the property of the Faulkner Homestead. The properties have tenants living in the buildings who know about this geocache.
This area, Mill Corner in South Acton, became the location of the first village settlement in Acton during 1700-1710 before the town was incorporated, in 1735. There are many historic buildings here! (For more information on Acton’s history, visit www.ironworkfarm.org or www.actonhistoricalsociety.org)
*If you choose to walk from Jones Tavern to Faulkner House, peer over the bridge along the way to see a powerful waterfall. Built in 1702, this was where washing and fulling of woolen cloth took place. In addition to the Jones-Faulkner fulling mill, over the centuries here have been a corn mill, gristmill, plaster mill, sawmill, blacksmith shop and a potash works for making soap on the land beside the dam. This is Fort Pond Brook, which eventually merges with Nashoba Brook at Warner’s Pond, flowing into the Assabet River in West Concord.
First Stop: Jones Tavern
Parking Coordinates: N 42 27.633 W 071 27.298 Parking is available behind the Jones Tavern on Railroad Street. On weekends, there should be spaces in the nearby commuter lot.
Jones Tavern was built as a house in 1732. By 1750 it became an inn, tavern and general store where revolutionaries would meet. It holds the distinction of being Acton’s longest established business, merging into James Tuttle’s store in 1845. It operated under various names until 1950. Struck by lightening in 1969, almost burned down! Some rooms inside remain charred. More info www.ironworkfarm.org. To tour inside check website for hours.
Instructions:
1. Walk around the house and count all the windows you see. Do not include basement or doors. Next look at the white sign hanging from the front corner of the building. Add together the four dates on the sign. Add the number of windows to the sum of dates on the sign, and write down that total to be used later.
2. Walk or drive to the Faulkner House by heading south on Main Street (Route 27) and over the bridge. Take your first left onto High Street. Go about 25 yards and turn right into the driveway of the Faulkner Homestead, #5 High Street.
Second Stop: Faulkner Homestead
Driveway entrance Coordinates: N 42 27.548 W 071 27.214
Parking Coordinates at top of driveway: N 42 27.528 W 071 27.190
The house was built in 1707 for Ephraim Jones, who founded the early textile business. It served as the local garrison house for protection from Indian raids along the Massachusetts frontier during Queen Anne’s War of 1702-1713, and as a garrison for South Acton Militia during the Revolutionary War. For 202 years, it was the homestead of six generations of the Faulkner family.
Instructions:
1. Walk around the entire house and count all the doors and write that number down.
2. Figuring the final coordinates for the final hide (ammo box):
N 42 27. ___ ___ ___
For the missing North coordinates subtract your Jones Tavern total from 7633.
W 071 27. ___ ___ ___
For the missing West coordinates subtract your Faulkner House door number from 209.
Please do not move or disturb any rocks at this historic site while looking for the cache. Tenants in the buildings expect to see geocachers walking around counting!
Be sure to check yourself for ticks and watch out for poison ivy.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lbh arrq gb zbir 3 ebpxf gb frr gur pnpur. Or fher gb chg ebpxf onpx pbirevat gur obk be ybpny xvqf jvyy envq.
Treasures
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