What are Zinc headstones?
Zinc Headstones are easily recognized by their distinctive silver-bluish-gray colored markers with raised lettering. Zinc is a non-magnetic metal that is heavier than iron but not as heavy as lead. Left exposed to the elements the monuments rapidly form a tough and very durable skin of zinc carbonate that protects the underlying metal, forming the unique color characteristic of all white bronze memorials.
Found throughout North America, they are rare in that:
- They were only produced from 1874 to 1912, with the peak in the late 1880’s.
- They were produced only by one company, the Monumental Bronze Co. in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
- Although made of cast metal, they would crack when struck by tree limbs and sink due to poor foundations or thick, decaying tree roots.
In 1881 MBC set up its first subsidiary, in Detroit, called
The Detroit Bronze Company (1881-1886). It was incorporated on Feb 5, 1881, largely through the efforts of J.H. Eakins. Samples were not kept onsite – customers would make their selections based on existing headstones in local cemeteries or, eventually, from the company’s catalogs. The stones were made to order from the foundry, and, during 1883 alone, DBC turned out over $100,000 worth of work in the shape of monuments, statues, and medallions.
As you walk amongst the headstones throughout Michigan (including the North Farmington Cemetery), you will see The Detroit Bronze Company (or its nearby counterpart, the American White Bronze Co – Chicago) stamped at the base of many of these zinc headstones.
Because they were made of molded metal, which allowed them to be produced and shipped around the world less expensively, as compared to more traditional stone monuments. Catalogs state that prices ranged from $2 to $5,000. Markers that could take a full name began at $4, with one for full name and dates at $6. They were sold as more durable than marble, about 1/3 less expensive and progressive.
In purchasing one of these, a person would select a general monument type and style. They then could customize all of the four sides of the monument, if they wished, with a plate which was screwed to the headstone using decorative screws. The plates typically list the name of the deceased, along with date of birth, date of death, and relationships to others who may be buried in the same plot.
Eventually, zinc headstones grew in disfavor because customers felt “less expensive” stones weren’t a proper memorial for their loved ones. The headstones eventually gained the euphemism "White Bronze," in place of “zinc,” by sales people who wanted to make them seem more attractive to the public.
As of this posting, no record has been found to explain the closure of the Detroit subsidiary. The Monumental Bronze Company closed in 1912 due to an” increased tax burden”. At the same time, heading into World War I, many of the Monumental Bronze Company’s subsidiaries converted from headstone assembly to munitions manufacturing for the war.
Now, the puzzle. The cache is not at the posted coordinates. To locate the final, you will need to take a short walk in a pretty, little cemetery visiting each of the resident five zinc headstones. You will need to take clues from each to solve the puzzle. You are looking for a small, squat bison tube. Take your time - there is some very interesting "memorial art" in this little cemetery.
N 42 31.ABC W 083 22.DEF
Rev. A. M. Sowle - N 42° 31.099 W 083° 22.724
A = The number of times the word “Risen” appears on the headstone
B = Reverend Sowle’s age at death - now cross out the first digit
Edward H. Seeley - N 42° 31.103 W 083° 22.731
C = The number of letters in Calista’s maiden surname. Add 3 to this number.
Joel P. Harger - N 42° 31.079 W 083° 22.736
D = The number of letter’s in Mrs. Harger’s first name.
John L. Seeley - N 42° 31.082 W 083° 22.729
E = Add the first and last digits of Girzah’s birth year.
Chester E. Rundell - N 42° 31.051 W 083° 22.744
F = Add together the number of wives listed on the headstone
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Personal note: I have always been fascinated by these headstones which dot many of Michigan’s historic cemeteries. It’s pretty cool to walk up to one and tap it – it looks like stone from a distance but it rings like metal up close. My personal favorites are found in Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit, where I’ve waymarked a dozen unique stones.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.