Welcome to the Marion County Geo Trail!
The Marion County Geo Trail is comprised of 10 unique caches designed to help you explore Marion County. Nestled in the rolling hills of West Virginia, Marion County is home to a plethora of historic and scenic locations from the first fathers-day service to breathtaking waterfalls. After completing all 10 geocaches on the tour and exploring everything Marion County has to offer, stop by our visitor center (GC8T5FR) to claim a unique souvenir from your time in the middle of everywhere! More information is available here: https://marioncvb.com/geocaching/
MCGT #3: The First Father’s Day
The seeds of a Father’s Day Service were planted on December 6, 1907, when a horrible mine explosion at Monongah, West Virginia, killed more than 360 men, 210 of whom were fathers. 250 widows and more than 1,000 children were left grieving.
Thoughts of these lonely persons touched Grace Clayton deeply. The Fairmont Times of September 23, 1979 shares this quote by her from Glenn Lough, Marion County Historian. “It was partly the explosion that got me to thinking how important and loved most fathers are. All those lonely children and those heart-broken wives and mothers made orphans and widows in a matter of a few minutes. Oh, how sad and frightening to have no father, no husband, to turn to at such an awful time.” She suggested to her pastor, Reverend Robert Thomas Webb at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South, that it would be wonderful if fathers were given a special day to be honored and remembered.
So, she suggested the Sunday closest to her father’s birthday, which would be July 5, 1908. History now shows that Fairmont held the first Father's Day Service in America on July 5, 1908 at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South; now known as Central United Methodist Church
Don't forget to record the special code word written on the lid and first page of the logbook!
About This Cache: This cache is a small lock-n-lock hidden in a very public setting in downtown Fairmont. Extreme stealth will need to be utilized while searching for this cache, luckily, you will have a little bit of cover. Parking is available at multiple locations, but the easiest would be at the drug store across the street. Please be careful and watch the young ones while crossing the street. Thanks for visiting!