This cache is placed with permission. Please follow all park rules, noting that the park is open Dawn to Dusk (no night caching, please).
Cell service will be limited in various areas on the AMNHA Geo-Path. Please plan accordingly.
Questions or need to share a challenge with a cache?
Send us a message in the Geocaching app
Remember to bring a pen, items to trade, and follow recommended
Geocaching Etiquette
.
CONGRATULATIONS TO FLY_FISH, LILRAPTOR, ANNA LISA, SUPER ELI AND JMOBR FOR BEING THE FTF!
AMNHA Geo-Path Series
AMNHA: Behind the Barn Letterbox
Passport:
Geo-Path
Series: Arabia Mountain Adventures
Password: Located in the logbook
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Parking Options: See waypoints (paid or free)
This search will bring you close to the Vaughter's Barn and the Arabia Alliance's office. This cache is located in a wooded area near the Vaughter's Barn. Since this is a letterbox hybrid, a stamp and ink pad are included. These are not meant for trade. Please leave these inside the cache so everyone can enjoy them.
This letterbox can also be logged on Atlasquest.
Vaughters' Barn is a historic symbol of DeKalb County’s rural past, located in Panola Mountain State Park, part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA). Once a thriving dairy farm, it is now the last historic dairy farm site in the county, which was once Georgia’s largest dairy producer, though it is no longer active.
Built in 1947 by Mr. S.B. Vaughters, the barn and the farmhouse across Klondike Road still stand. Vaughters, a vocational agriculture teacher, constructed the farmhouse with help from a seventh-grade student. For many years, he raised dairy and beef cattle, switching to hay farming after selling his last cow in 1997. The barn housed animals on the first floor and stored hay on the second.
As Atlanta’s urban sprawl spread, Vaughters decided to sell the land, and in 2002, he sold the property to the state. Today, the barn is a landmark along the PATH Trail, offering a glimpse into the county’s agricultural history. It’s also a popular photography location and part of the PATH Hiking and Biking Trail. The surrounding meadow supports wildlife like deer, wild turkeys, and meadowlarks. Panola Mountain State Park and AMNHA continue to work together to improve the barn and its surroundings for future generations.
Vaughters' Barn Conservation and Renovation
Panola Mountain State Park and AMNHA partnered to renovate and stabilize Vaughters' Barn. The project addressed water damage, structural issues, and general wear and tear, reinforcing the walls, roof, and other parts of the barn. A section of the hay loft was also cut out to offer visitors a better view of the barn’s history.
Before the renovation, the barn’s walls and roof were bowing, and parts of the structure had significant water damage. The restoration included repairing the interior, replacing windows, and bracing the roof, with support from the Department of Natural Resources and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance.
Now secure, the barn serves as an educational resource about DeKalb County’s history. The renovation also made it possible to offer guided tours and interpretive signage, allowing visitors to explore the barn in new ways.
Film, Photography, and Drones
Vaughters' Barn is a central feature of AMNHA and has been featured in many film and photography projects, including independent films, TV commercials, music videos, documentaries, and family portraits. It’s a popular location for photoshoots and has appeared in shows like The Outsider. If you’ve seen the show, you’ve already seen one of the park’s most famous landmarks up close. Hopefully, in real life, it’s much less scary.
Please note that commercial photography requires a permit from park rangers. To learn more about filming and photography in Georgia State Parks, visit GaStateParks.org/Film.
Are You Ready to Find More Geocaches?
Come explore the
Arabia Mountain PATH
and earn trackable prizes along the way.
The
AMNHA Geo-PATH
is a geocaching program spread across more than 30 miles of the Arabia Mountain PATH hike and bike trail.
Many geocaches are waiting to be discovered.
Download the passports
Geocaching Adventures Passport
Each cache is classified into one of the following series:
• Adventure Labs
• Arabia Mountain Adventures
• Geocaching 101
• GeoTour
• Lands Less Visited
• Lithonia's Historic Hike
• Panola Mountain Pathways
• Past and Present Passages
• South River Stroll
Completed the passports?
Choose one of the following options to claim your prize:
Scan and email the Arabia Alliance Team
Scan and mail to the Arabia Alliance office
Additional Links
Trail Maps and
Landmarks
Learn and
Activities
Tips for Hiking in the Summer Heat
Tips for Avoiding Ticks
Winter Hikes and Winter Wildlife
Waypoints and
Adding or Viewing Coordinates
Trails Map Type Option