Welcome to the Visit Conroe Texas GeoTour.
Download and print your GeoTour passport and don't forget to get the code letter in each cache, complete the passport, and turn in for a commemorative coin. You may also pickup a copy of the passport at the Visit Conroe office address listed below.
Whatever time of year brings you to the area, there are numerous activities to enjoy. Get your
Visit Conroe Visitors Guide here.
Now for the Cache:
James McDade was a successful Conroe businessman who homesteaded land around the San Jacinto River and FM 2854 in the early 1900s. Local legend has it that Native American Indians hid silver and gold on the McDade property – although none has ever been found.
Upon Mr. McDade’s death in 1932, the property passed to his two daughters: Lillie McDade O’Grady – a well-known Conroe philanthropist, and Elisa Marie McDade – who became a Catholic nun. One of the items on this property next to the San Jacinto River was a majestic magnolia tree – a tree that still stands today and estimated to be close to 200 years old.
Mrs. Lillie McDade O’Grady was approached by a friend, Steve Kasmiersky, Sr., that wished to buy the property around the San Jacinto River and build a home close to the majestic magnolia tree. Mrs. O’Grady agreed on the condition she could build a home next door. So began the McDade Estates subdivision on the outskirts of Conroe adjacent to the San Jacinto River in 1971.
Mr. Kasmiersky, Sr. donated a parcel of the land he purchased from Mrs. O’Grady on the west bank of the San Jacinto River to the City of Conroe for a park – and requested the park be named McDade Park in honor of the McDade legacy.
You will find a large polished stone engraved with a poem at the foot of the majestic magnolia tree. This poem and polished stone was dedicated to Mr. Kasmiersky - his birth-date and date-of-death are noted on this polished stone. Also noted on this polished stone is the month and year the poem was written.
Proceed to the coordinates listed for information needed to solve this field puzzle and obtain the coordinates for the final cache containing the log book.
NOTE: FINAL IS DAWN TO DUSK ONLY.
Final cache coordinates are:
N 30 19.1XX
W095 30.7YY
XX = Double the year Mr. Kasmiersky was born
YY = Year poem was written
Note: Use just the last two digits for each year in the puzzle!
Two paths to final:
1. Hardest path - challenging terrain along the river bank next to Private Property. You don't get extra D/T for the terrain if you take this path! But the story in your log and the personal feeling of accomplishment with the terrain should be enjoyable!
2. Easiest path - use final parking coords off Steve Owens Rd. Then walk north thru the disc golf course (cordially yielding to any players) before making your turn toward GZ.
Redeem Completed Passport:
Please email a picture of your completed passport to visitconroegeotour@gmail.com to receive your Conroe Geocoin!
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