This cache is located at a site full of history. Probably the most beautiful, historic, and emblematic building in Erwin today is the Unicoi County Public Library. But as its architecture and location make clear, it was originally Erwin’s passenger rail depot, during the days when Erwin was the headquarters of the Clinchfield Railroad. Many railroad-related structures can still be seen throughout the town.
The Clinchfield ran from Spartanburg, S.C. to Elkhorn City, Kentucky. It was a relatively small railroad, primarily hauling coal from Virginia coalfields to textile mills in South Carolina. But despite its small size, the railroad was built to high engineering standards, featuring the state-of-the-art Clinchfield Loops in the Blue Ridge Mountains north of Marion, N.C.
The steam locomotive pictured here, named the “Clinchfield No. 1” served the railroad during its early days, and later as a relic towing tourist excursions. Today the only pulling she does is to draw rail enthusiasts to a museum in Baltimore.
In the late 20th century a series of mergers overtook the railroad, and in 1982 the Clinchfield name was finally retired in favor of the name of the company that operates the railroad today, and which maintained significant freight operations in Erwin until 2015. Also preserved is perhaps the Clinchfield’s most endearing tradition: The Santa Train (originally known as The Santa Claus Special) travels each November through the small mountain towns along the railroad’s route, with Santa on board and handing out Christmas gifts to children and their families who line the tracks.
It was also because of Erwin’s status as the headquarters of the Clinchfield Railroad that, on Sept. 13, 1916, in one those “truth is stranger than fiction” stories, a circus elephant named Mary was executed here by hanging.
Mary was billed as the largest land animal on the continent, being three inches taller than Barnum & Bailey’s famous “Jumbo.” During the circus’ stay in nearby Kingsport, Mary reacted violently to rough treatment by a novice handler, killing him instantly. The crowd of witnesses in Kingsport panicked and called for Mary’s death. Gunshots in Kingsport failed to do the job, and as bizarre as the scene seems now, hanging was determined as the most humane of the other available options. Erwin became the site for the execution because the railroad cranes here were uniquely capable of handling the heavy load.
Mary was buried next to the tracks here, though the precise spot of her grave is unrecorded. The Erwin depot was built in 1925, nine years after the execution. Is it possible she could be underneath your feet when you find the cache?
Today some Erwin residents prefer not to discuss Mary’s story, for fear it casts a shadow over the very real charms of this cozy Appalachian town. Modern day Erwin would surely never see a repeat of such a scene, and it is doubtless that the new elephant rehabilitation sanctuary in middle Tennessee counts Erwin residents among its supporters.
The cache may be an easy find, even a park-and-grab for moderately experienced geocachers, but perhaps less obvious for novices. The cache is not in or under any landscaping, and you will not need to open, turn, twist, remove, lift, or otherwise manipulate anything except the device that contains the cache, and it is labeled with the cache ID number. In other words, this is a historic site. Do not deface the property in searching for the cache.
There is plenty of room for trade items and trackables. Muggles can be a factor during library operating hours, so be patient and wait for a muggle-free moment to find and replace the cache. If you have to wait, imagine for a few moments that you’re back in the past, here at the depot waiting for a train to Asheville or Kingsport.
It’s possible wasps or spiders or other creatures may find this an attractive spot, and as always, the cache owner disclaims all liability for any risks associated with this cache. It should be obvious, but please DO NOT venture past the fence onto the rail yard property!
Explicit permission for this cache placement was obtained from the property manager, so please be mindful that we are here at her discretion. If the library is open, why not stop in and thank “Angie” for granting permission?
Congratulations to antbedy and tncorgi, co-FTFs!
