The Signs of U.S. Route 17 South, Grafton, VA Mystery Cache

The cache coordinates bring you to the northernmost of the three signs. Two miles and two signs later, you'll have all the information you need from this self-guided tour to find the cache. I'll admit there are some great signs (and mailboxes) on both sides of the road. So if you differ with this "best of" signage list, please post what should be added, removed, etc., and why in your log. If you post pictures supporting your argument, I’ll be sure to showcase them on this page.

Parking is readily available at all stages of the cache. Let's begin.

1. The Grafton Office Supply sign: Located at the cache coordinates and looking like something Ben Franklin designed, this symmetrical four sided lantern on steroids is easy to overlook when you're trying to time the stop lights for maximum efficiency.  A slow swing through the parking lot reveals its magnificence in design, begging the question “is it supposed to be that big at the top?”  It has character and intrigue, too, as in “where do you think Bubba was standing when he shot the sign?”  

GOS sign cache clue - Head over to the RV lot fenceline and look for the messed-up telephone junction box tucked against a telephone pole at N 37° 10.691 W 076° 28.804.  Under the letter “F” is a four digit number in black-on-yellow stencils.  The first digit = A.

2. The Cactus sign: You’ll find the peninsula’s favorite country karaoke and line dancing venue showcasing its sign at N 37° 10.200 W 076° 28.366.  I like this sign because of its simplicity and understatement.  Highlighting carnegiea gigantea, the sign only says “The Cactus.”  That’s the cowboy way.  It’s only under the influence of Hollywood culture – unneeded drama and hyperbole – that one might wonder why they didn’t call it “The Lone Saguaro.” 

The Cactus sign clue – this is the one part of this cache that is not well protected from Hwy 17 traffic; keep a close eye on the kids and dogs! Walk to the telephone pole about 30 feet to the southeast of the sign.  On the side of the pole facing the street, you’ll see two sets of metallic stencils.  Between them, you’ll find identifying markings carved into the pole.  Look for the number following “FL-“.  The first digit of the two digit number = B.

     Western Auto sign: N 37° 09.873 W 076° 27.951, a rainy 7:05 am, from the northbound lanes

3. Gracing early morning commuters with a western red dawn since 1973, the Western Auto sign adds that vintage feel to Grafton’s Highway 17 corridor.  Interestingly, this auto shop hasn’t been Western Auto since the late ‘90s.  Because the sign has so much history with the community, the new family owners were given permission to keep the sign when the Western Auto franchise folded.  Try as they might, the owners weren’t able to keep the original letters working.  They replaced the letters about ten years ago, finding as close a match to the originals as possible.  You can see pictures chronicling the letter replacement behind the counter in the store.  The downside to the sign?  When you’re trying to note the price of gas at WaWa, the Western Auto sign is an effective distractor, as in “Whoa – red dawn!!!  Wolverines!  Dude…  Missed the price of gas at WaWa again...”

Western Auto clue: Just so you know, the current, actual name of the store is Ragan’s Auto.  Their store sign, which did not make the “best of” list, is in the parking lot here: N 37° 09.886 W 076° 27.948.  The main billboard says “Ragans Auto Repairs Tires Batteries”.  Below the main billboard, say, three feet off the ground, is the sign announcing that Ragan’s is an official state inspection station.  The first digit of the four-digit station number = C. 

All right, you've visited all three. Perhaps you can tell us which was your favorite when you log the cache at N 37° 09.C59 W 076° 2A.B08