Wroxeter is a village found along the Maitland River in Howick Township in Huron County.
The village was founded by brothers Thomas and Robert Gibson in the mid-19th century as many Scottish settlers began arriving. With the completion of the railroad to the area in 1874, Wroxeter was a flourishing community with several general stores and hotels, a pool hall, two schools, a library, and a grist and woolen mill. A newly built train station provided travel to the Toronto area.
As Wroxeter benefited from the railroad, so too did Wingham, about 13km to the west. It was the site for the junction of two railway lines. This brought about the movement of families and businesses away from Wroxeter, as Wingham became the commerce center for the region. At the end of the 19th century Wroxeter had a population of about 700-800 people.
By the 1930s, with industry gone for decades and buildings left in derelict condition, Wroxeter was referred to as a ghost town.
The remaining citizens, however, took exception to this designation and through the years came together to make changes. Old structures were demolished and others were refurbished. New homes were built. The village is now a viable residential community with a few local shops and services and a population of approximately 400.
Back from the dead, this tiny village once proudly announced on it’s Welcome to Wroxeter signs – Former Ghost Town.
This three stage cemetery multi is a tribute to the early pioneers of this now former ghost town. The final looks modern, but many graves were re-interred from stage 2 in the 1960s. If you take the time to walk around you will see numerous pioneers from the 1800s, including the brothers Gibson, who founded Wroxeter.
The coordinates provided bring you to the first stage. At the first two stages you will obtain information from stones you see on site to arrive at the coordinates for the final. All stages can be walked or biked, but most will likely drive to the final.
STAGE ONE – WROXETER ANGLICAN CEMETERY
You will obtain the final West coordinate here.
WEST FINAL
W 081 0B.____
B = Take the number of years Elizabeth, beloved wife of Robert Millen, lived as scribed on her stone and divide this number by 3
For the final three digits of the West final:
Take the year Grace, daughter of William and Frances, died and sum the numbers (example: 1923 would be 1+9+2+3=15). Take that number and multiple it by 19.
Next, take the number of months Samuel Griffith lived as scribed on his stone and multiple it by 1.5
Add your two numbers together and you have the last three digits for the West final.
STAGE TWO – WROXETER PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY
N 43 51.872 W 081 08.760
You will obtain the final North coordinate here.
NORTH FINAL
N 43 5A.____
A = How many decades did William Hogg live?
For the final three digits of the North final:
Take the year Lucy Hamilton died and sum the numbers (example: 1923 would be 1+9+2+3=15). Take that number and multiple it by 18.
Next, take the number of letters in the name of the wife of Robert Gibson and multiple by 3. Then, take that answer and multiple it by the number of children David & Margaret Bradnock laid to rest.
Add your two numbers together and you have the last three digits for the North final.
You are now off to find the final! Please be respectful at all the stages of this cache. ABSOLUTELY NO NIGHT CACHING.