WCG - Bowman House Traditional Cache
Hidden : 8/26/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


The Washington County GeoTrail

WCG - Bowman House


The Washington County GeoTrail (WCG) launched on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The Trail consists of over thirty-five (35) geocaches placed at points of interest all over the County. Caches will be found in National, State, County and Town parks as well as at museums, wineries, historical sites and places of natural beauty. A trackable geocoin was awarded to the first 500 geocachers who completed the Washington County Geotrail. The original allotment of Coins has been exhausted and new parameters to receive the updated Coin are below.

 To be eligible for the coin, GeoCachers may download the Washington County GeoTrail passport online at www.visitHAGERSTOWN.com or pick one up in person at the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 N. Potomac Street. Completed passports may be verified on site at the above address or by mail.

Please note the following Change. Washington County GeoCoins will be available for purchase at the Visitor Welcome Center for GeoCachers who log 20 or more caches on the Washington County GeoTrail. The cost of the GeoCoin will be $10. An additional $3.50 shipping charge will apply for passports redeemed by mail. For more information about geocaching in Washington County and the full complement of local amenities, the above links are your gateway to historically beautiful Washington County!

Participating in the WCG geotrail is fun and we hope that many people join in. However, it is not a requirement for logging your find on this cache once you find the container.
WCG – Bowman House


Located at 323 North Main in Boonsboro, the Bowman House is a two-story log structure typical of many log dwellings of the early 1800’s. It is described as L-shaped, the main body being 28 feet in width and 21 in depth. The kitchen wing measures 21 by 12. Typical also is the hewed V-notch construction which is readily visible at the exterior corners.

Hard to imagine today, this site was outside town limits in 1826 when Jacob Powles bought 23 acres of land. Shortly thereafter, he built the log-frame house. By that time, Boonsboro was 33 years old and sitting astride the bustling National Road. A plethora of inns, taverns, stables, stores and smithies sprang up to supply throngs of westward-bound settlers as well as drovers and farmers moving their crops, cattle and wares east to the large population centers.

The House was purchased by John Bowman after mustering out of the Union Army in 1865. He was a potter, plying his trade on this site until his death in 1906. Using local red clay, he fashioned earthen-ware pots of many sizes and shapes. These vessels were present in colonial American kitchens, used both for cooking and for storage of foodstuffs in root cellars.

Bowman House was given to the Boonsboro Historical Society in 1971 by Charles Smith, grandson of John Bowman. Termite damage to the structure was so extreme, the house had to be dismantled piece-by-piece. A meticulous reconstruction began in 1980 and was completed in 1991. The Society reconstructed the cabin as near as possible to the way it looked when the Bowman’s first resided and worked here. The current furnishings and embellishments reflect that period as well. The Society and Town are no doubt proud of the outstanding results.

Placement of this cache has been approved by the Boonsboro Historical Society. The Bowman House is open 1:00-4:00 PM on fourth Sundays from May through October. Special tours can be arranged by calling 301-432-8410.

The geocache is a regular lock n lock container hidden at the front of the Bowman House. Stealth is Required. Dawn to Dusk is Mandatory. Street parking is available. Main Street can be busy. Please supervise children appropriately.

The Washington County GeoTrail wishes to Thank the Hagerstown Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau for their timely and continuing assistance with this Washington County adventure.

The WCG also wishes to thank the following geocachers who spent countless hours in planning and deploying the caches – ALs Guide, Always Lost 00, Kitakima, LPYankeefan, nomaland, Snurt, tazscouter, and tiger77aam.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

EVTUG FVQRJNYX

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all 9 bookmark lists...