The 2013 MML geotrail and geocoin promotion ended on April 1, 2014. We would like to thank everyone for participating and a special thanks to the Maryland Geocaching Society members for all their support. Be sure to visit the MGS website at www.mdgps.org for the latest news on geocaching in Maryland.
For updated information, visit the MML web site at MML link or the Maryland Geocaching Society web site at MGS Link
This simple puzzle cache will take you to the beautiful Belair Mansion. The final is a traditional size cache stocked with a variety of items.
The Cache is located at N38 57.ABC W76 44.DEF
Go to first Sign at N38 57.958 W76 44.780 titled Developing a Garden Plan.
The 3rd digit in year the Ogle family left BelAir Mansion + 2 = A
The month in which Bel Air Mansion was featured in Franklin Leslie’s Illustrated News - 2 = B
4th digit in year the Terraced parterre picture was taken - 2 = C
Go to second sign titled Archaeological Research of Belair Gardens, which can be seen from the first sign is 30 feet away to the left. There is a picture of Belair Mansion taken from an airplane. The landmarks of Belair Mansion are marked by a number on the picture.
Terraces = D
Tennis Court = E
Mansion House = F
This facility is open dawn to dusk, and the inside tours are open Tuesday-Sunday 12:00 to 4:00.
The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and offers a look at Bowie’s earliest history. Built circa 1745 for Provincial Governor Samuel Ogle and his wife, Anne Tasker Ogle, the Mansion later became one of the homes of William Woodward, noted American horseman of the 20th century. Enlarged by Woodward in 1914, the Mansion today reflects its 250-year use as a residence. Be sure to visit the Belair Mansion graveyard at N38 57.903 W76 44.825.
The community now known as Bowie is the largest municipality in Prince George’s County and the fifth largest city in Maryland. It started out as a small railroad stop where the B&O Railroad tracks to Washington, D.C., branched off from the main line. Although the station there was called Bowie—in honor of local resident Governor Oden Bowie—the town that was laid out around it in 1870 was named Huntington City. It comprised about 300 acres subdivided by Washington developer Ben M. Plumb into more than 500 building lots. The city has restored the original buildings of the old Bowie railroad stop to create the Huntington Railroad Museum. Historical material is displayed there, reminding visitors of Bowie’s origin as a railroad town.
Over the couple of decades after its establishment, the town grew and prospered, with a large contingent of railway employees among its population. Huntington City was incorporated by charter of the General Assembly in 1874, but that charter was amended in 1882 to change the name of the town to Bowie; another amendment in 1916 changed the name to City of Bowie. In 1959, Bowie annexed the adjacent community of “Belair at Bowie,” which had been developed recently by Levitt and Sons on the former Belair Estate. With that property came the circa 1745 Belair Mansion.
While Bowie is proud of its history, it is focused on the future. It is now a city of 16 square miles and approximately 50,000 residents. It has nearly 2,000 acres set aside as parks or open space. It has 72 ball fields, 3 community centers, an ice arena, a theatrical playhouse, a golf course, and 3 museums. It is adding a senior-citizens center and a gymnasium. Bowie’s motto “Growth, Unity, Progress” is a fitting description of this dynamic, family-oriented community.
The Town of Bowie thanks you for visiting!
Thanks to Deepdish23 for helping with this hide!
Thanks to the Calvertcachers, Snurt, and the Maryland Geocaching Society for assisting with this project!