This cache is located inside the Education Center (Visitor’s Center) at Fort Osage National Historic Landmark located at 107 Osage Street, Sibley, MO. There is a large, paved parking lot. Once you have parked, make your way to the entrance of the “Education Center” building by way of the sidewalk; it is a short level walk from the parking area. There is no fee to enter this building (if you want to see the Fort, there is a fee for that.) The cache is located on a small table and is elevated from the floor for easy access. Tell the receptionist you are there to find the geocache. Permission to set was given by: Fred Goss, Site Administrator. Fort Osage is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round. You will be looking for a small brown chest, and the cache is inside.
Under the direction of William Clark, Fort Osage was built in 1808 and served dual roles as both a military garrison and a trade center. It functioned as an outpost in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase, protected the US Factory Trade House located there, aided the American government in befriending Osage Indians and offered Missouri's early settlers and explorers a sanctuary. It also provided a military presence in the territory to assure Spain, France and Great Britain that the United States meant to protect its territory by military strength. William Becknell stopped at the Fort on September 4-5, 1821 on his first trip down what would become the Santa Fe Trail. George Sibley, was factor (a type of trader who receives and sells goods on commission) at the fort. Sibley also led the first official government survey of the Road to Santa Fe in 1825-27.
Fort Osage ceased operations in the 1820s as the Osage in subsequent treaties had ceded the rest of their land in Missouri to the US. A replica of the fort was partially reconstructed on the site between 1948 and 1961 and is currently a park owned and operated by Jackson County Parks and Recreation.
Today, visitors can find authentically attired historical interpreters and can enjoy breathtaking views of the reconstructed historic site that overlooks the Missouri River as they learn about the daily life of military, civilian, and Native American populations at Fort Osage. There are also museum exhibits at the Fort Osage Education Center that houses 4,000 square feet of exhibition space sharing the history, people, cultures and environment connected with the historic site and region.