In 1839, the first settlers moved into the Grand Traverse region and landed just 2.5 miles northeast (as the crow flies) from this cache, in the village of Old Mission. They quickly expanded logging and farming operations throughout the peninsula and just 15 years later, the first person was buried in this small cemetery. Can you find the headstone of Margaret Helen Swaney from 1854? If you find it, turn to the left and take a moment to enjoy the view over the peninsula toward West Grand Traverse Bay.
Less than 10 years after her passing, the U.S. descended into Civil War. Young men from all over the state traveled to Detroit to enlist for the Union Army. One of those was Curtis. J. Fowler, the eldest son of a Grand Traverse County probate judge. Curtis was badly injured in the first Battle of Bull Run and after discarge, returned home to Michigan. Francis Zebina Fowler, volunteered to replace his older brother, Curtis, and was soon on his way toward the war. On August 30, 1862, during the last day of the second Battle of Bull Run, Francis (aka Frank) was killed in action. He was the first soldier from the Grand Traverse Region to fall in the war, but he wouldn't be the last. Take a walk amongst the gravestones and look for understated markers etched G.A.R. The marker is placed next to the tombstones of Civil War Veterans who fought on behalf of the Union Army.
This beautiful little spot holds so much of the area's history. I hope you enjoy the visit. Please be respectful of the place.
About the cache: This is an extra small lock-n-lock container. There is a FTF trackable coin for whomever is the first to grab this cache. There is a small pencil in the cache (please don't take this), please use it to sign the log book. I will delete log entries for those who have not actually signed the log book (I don't want to be that way, but I've noticed an uptick in online logs for people who have not actually visited a cahce). As always, if you take something, please leave something, and no trash in the cache.