ELLEN
This is a three-stage virtual geocache that gives you a short tour of the life of Ellen, an accomplished American Impressionist artist from Rome, Georgia. It can be walked (at least 1.6 miles depending on where you park) but you might prefer to drive. If you drive, use caution approaching Stage Two as the roads there are narrow and steep.
STAGE ONE (posted coordinates)
Please remain on the sidewalk. Here you will see the house where Ellen lived with her parents and siblings. In 1883, a young lawyer came to Rome on business and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Rome where Ellen's father was minister. There he met Ellen and the two were married in 1885. As you look upon the house, notice the large front porch where they perhaps sat and greeted Romans passing by on the sidewalk.
To obtain coordinates for Stage Two, first multiply the number of this historic spot by three (ABC). Next, count the number of ceiling fans on the porch and add that to the number of planters near the steps leading up to the house from the sidewalk (D). Count the number of columns on the front porch and add the number of steps leading from the sidewalk (EF).
STAGE TWO (N34 15.ABC W85 10.DEF) A+B+C+D+E+F = 24
Ellen died August 6, 1914 suffering from Bright's disease. Her husband brought her body back home to Rome aboard a special train for her funeral at the Presbyterian church where they had met. A horse-drawn hearse led the procession down Broad Street to Myrtle Hill Cemetery where she was buried beside her parents. As you enjoy the beauty and solace of this historic cemetery, read the poem toward the bottom of Ellen's stone and use it to solve the coordinates for the final stage.
UVW = 21-3 12-2 35-4
XYZ = 6-1 0 22-7
STAGE THREE (N34 15.UVW W85 10.XYZ) U+V+W+X+Y+Z = 26
At Stage Three, you have reached the conclusion of this virtual geocache. TWO REQUIREMENTS FOR LOGGING: Please enjoy this location by taking a photo of yourself and Ellen (your face is not required). Also, email us and tell what Ellen designed that is mentioned on the nearby bronze plaque.
This virtual geocache has been placed with permission of the City of Rome and Georgia's Rome Office of Tourism which administers tours of historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.