Most likely you haven't read his novels or short stories in length, but if you've been in Asheville more than an hour, you've probably seen his name: THOMAS WOLFE. He is considered by some to be one of the greatest American authors. In a nutshell, Wolfe's first novel, "Look Homeward, Angel" was based on his experiences and people in his life in Asheville. Although he used altered names, the characters and events were transparent enough for many citizens to recognize themselves, and not in a good light. Asheville was outraged. The threats became so bad towards Wolfe, he chose to leave town for several years. Eventually after so much notoriety and fame came to the man and his writings, the town's attitude changed and embraced him and his work. He is now considered Asheville's Favorite Son.
The listed coordinates are of course NOT the cache location, but the first stop you'll make. To find the cache you will have to make other stops at various locations that are devoted to the man and his life to solve clues for the final coordinates which are:
N35° 3A.BC0'
W82° 3D.EF6'
And remember to take time to explore and enjoy the places you visit as well as check out the other great caches at and in between the stops. Also, please show respect to the locations and do not disregard any times that are posted that locations may be closed.
*Stop 1) N35° 35.956' W82° 32.951'
On October 3, 1900, Thomas, the youngest of eight, was born at his family's home on Woodfin Street. The house is no longer present but a plaque marks the actual location of the house built by his stone carving father, W. O. Wolfe, in which Thomas was born.
A = # of steps up to the plaque MINUS the number of "E"s on the 2nd line on the plaque
*Stop 2) N35° 35.864' W82° 33.039'
When Thomas was 6, his mother, Julia Westall Wolfe, purchased a 29 room boarding house she named "Old Kentucky Home". She and Thomas, moved into the house while his father and the other siblings stayed at the Woodfin house. The boarding house, called "Dixieland" in "Look Homeward, Angel," is now a Historic Landmark.
B = sum of last 2 numbers in year at bottom of Historic Landmark plaque
Proceed to the South side of house.
C = 2nd number MINUS 1st number in the year the children's playhouse was moved from the old house to this house
**Its not required, but please visit the museum across from the back side of the house if you have time. It covers the author's life in great detail. Its very interesting, educational and free.
*Stop 3) N35° 35.694' W82° 33.074'
Two of his biggest novels were "Look Homeward, Angel" and "You Can't Go Home Again" published in 1940 after his death(The latter being a loosely autobiographical description of his life during the release of the earlier book). In the middle of downtown Asheville is a statue dedicated to the author.
D = last number MINUS first number in the year the statue was carved
*Stop 4) N35° 35.706' W82° 33.033'
Thomas's father's tombstone shop, mentioned in "Look Homeward Angel", once stood at this corner. In the early 1920's, the property was purchased by L.B. Jackson, a real estate developer. Here he built Asheville's first skyscraper, the Jackson Building.
E = # of E's in architect's last name PLUS the 3rd and 4th digits in the year the Jackson Building was completed
*Stop 5) N35° 35.827' W82° 33.343'
History of The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
The Auditorium: (1900-1903) – In the year 1900, a movement was started by the newly-organized Asheville Auditorium Company to secure a large gathering place for the Asheville area. This “hall for accommodations of large assemblages” was built in 1902 and its initial performance was presented in May of that year. Sadly the Auditorium burned to the ground at 4:15 am Saturday, October 24, 1903.
The Auditorium: (1904-1937) – Following the destruction of the former Auditorium, the building was partially rebuilt with funds from the insurance claim settlement. In 1909 the City of Asheville assumed ownership and continued its operation until the building was condemned in 1931 as a potential safety hazard. The Auditorium stood abandoned until its demolition in 1937.
New Municipal Auditorium: (1939-1974) – The New Municipal Auditorium was built following the Great Depression with the support of the local public and the federal Public Works Administration. Described as “a City Auditorium in which to accommodate musical concerts, theatrical performances, social events, athletic contests of certain kinds, and a variety of conventions and conferences,” the new building was designed to cover 20,000 square feet and have a seating capacity of over 3,000 persons with a level floor capable of being converted to a ballroom.
The architect charged with this new design, Lindsey M. Gudger, drew much of his inspiration from the Art Deco movement, and he included many of its motifs throughout the building, which earned the Auditorium the compliment of “being an example of one of the finest buildings of its type”. The New Municipal Auditorium opened January 8, 1940 with the Asheville Civic Center Music Association's presentation of violinist Yehuda Menuhin.
Asheville Civic Center Complex: (1974-2010) – On July 11, 1968, City Council approved plans for a new Asheville Civic Center Complex. The new facility would encompass the existing Auditorium and add an exhibition hall, a banquet hall, meeting rooms, and an arena for conventions, concerts, sports, and family show productions. It would also include exhibit and rehearsal areas for the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Mineral Museum, and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
The official ground breaking ceremony took place on June 2, 1970. The Complex was built by the City of Asheville General Obligation Bonds and was opened in June of 1974. Following the completion and opening of the Arena and Banquet Hall additions, the Auditorium underwent over two years of renovative construction. Architect John Cort considered it important to integrate many of the original design elements incorporated by Lindsey M. Gudger. The newly-christened Thomas Wolfe Auditorium was opened on Sunday, December 13, 1975 with the Asheville Symphony’s presentation of “Christmas Concerto” and “The Nutcracker”.
F = # of adult performers and dancers in front of the auditorium MULTIPLIED BY 2
You're looking for a large camo'd medicine bottle. BYOP.
CHECKSUM: A+B+C+D+E+F=XY X+Y=5
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
By now, you have all the info you need to find the cache. But if you want to see more:
On September 15, 1938, at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital, Thomas Wolfe died of brain tuberculosis, just 18 days shy of his 38th birthday. He was soon returned to Asheville and laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery now surrounded by his other family members. The coordinates to his gravesite, if you choose to go, are: N35° 36.095 W082° 34.187