This virtual cache features a one-of-a-kind architectural structure built in 1893.
To claim a find on this cache, you must visit the location and provide me with the name of the material from which the building was constructed and the month it was presented to the City to be used as a library.
The Gann Building, now called the Gann Musuem, houses a variety of interesting and colorful history from the Saline County area. The original owner, Dr. Dewell Gann, used the building as a medical office up until 1946, after which it was donated to the City of Benton. For the next 30 years it was used as the community's library.
Because of the material from which it was constructed, the building shows very little wear to have been built well over a century ago. It is the only known building built of this material and this material is found in very few places in the world. The material, a mineral, contributed greatly to the economic development of Saline County and two major national companies opened mining and processing operations in the county because of it.
The building was constructed by patients of Dr. Gann who were unable to pay for services rendered by the doctor. There are two doors on the front of the building leading to separate waiting rooms for men and women. On an inside wall is an imprint of Dr. Gann’s foot made from the time he spent sitting waiting for patients in a rocker with his foot propped against the wall. Dr. Gann's residence was next door and both the museum and the house are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Museum artifacts range from the desk and medical equipment used by Dr. Gann to a letter from Helen Keller thanking a local resident for the gift of Benton produced Niloak pottery. A large display of this unique pottery is exhibited, as well as artifacts of notorious area crimes, Indians, and military involvement of Saline County citizens.
Although you can claim this cache without a visit inside the museum, reviewers give this little museum four and five stars and comment it is well worth a visit. Local volunteers staff the museum on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00-3:00.
To claim your find, please email me through my profile OR send me a message through the Message Center and provide the name of the mineral from which the building is built as well as the month the library was presented to the City of Benton. "Found it" logs that are not supported with an email or message within 7 days of the date of the log will be deleted. Please DO NOT post answers in your online log, or your log will be deleted.
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.
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GC6K125 – It Came Out of Nowhere
GC6K1J2 – Neighbor Helping Neighbor
GC6MEV1 – Take a Deep Breath
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GC6TRP5 – Shocking, to Say the Least
GC7B9A5 - Come Agann?
GC7YFY1 - Keep Away from the Lookout
GC7YGXX - Stop and Smell
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GC830QG - Gadgets Galore
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