Hanson Mansion Traditional Cache

This cache has been placed in a parking lot just across from the Hanson Mansion.

Most people associate the Underground Railroad with the Civil War. But slaves had pursued their freedom for years before the war. For many of those slaves, the "free" state of Illinois seemed to be a logical destination.

The Underground Railroad was a scattered system of homes, barns, churches, and other structures where people were willing to risk their own lives to hide the runaway slaves. Many of the passengers on this so-called railroad traveled through southern Illinois where they stopped at many safe locations, called "stations," along the way.

The Hanson Mansion was one such station in Alton that is now known as the Enos Apartment building. It is perhaps the best known Underground Railroad station that remains in the city. This former mansion is unique in that it was designed to serve as a hiding place for escaped slaves when it was constructed by Nathaniel Hanson back in 1857. According to the stories, Hanson, who was a wealthy farm implement manufacturer, was closely involved with the abolitionist movement in Alton. When work began on his home he asked that tunnels be added to the basement of the house so that runaways could be hidden there in safety. The tunnels, although now bricked off at the end, still extend from the lower basement of the house and outward under the adjoining street. The foundation of the structure is fifteen feet below the level of street and there are numerous rooms and narrow passageways carved into the limestone.

Legend also has it that the ornate cupola on the roof of the mansion was used as a signal post for escaped slaves coming from across the river. One light that was placed in the window was said to have been a signal that all was clear and two lights meant that there was danger afoot. The house saw quite a lot of activity during the busiest years of the Underground Railroad movement.

There are apartments and homes within view of the parking lot. Please be aware of your surroundings and use stealth if required when retrieving the container so that others may enjoy the cache as well – The hint is a spoiler!

The container is a Magnetic Key box with only a log sheet.

Bring a writing instrument to sign the log – this is a small log sheet so sign with date and name only.

Parking is available within 5 feet of the cache. The parking lot is off of George Street which is a One Way street. Do not make a right turn when exiting the parking lot.