Below is a photograph of the monument placed in honor of the Spencer Cemetery location in the early 40's at the corner of Spencer Lane and Michigan Avenue. Named after the early land owners, the cemetery (although not the actual graves) was removed and the land incorporated into the Spencer School and playground. In the background is the brick building built in 1932 and used later as the Willow Run Community Schools Administration Building until 2002. The posted coordinates will take you on the side of the road in front of the building. You will be asked to answer a couple questions to claim this virtual as a find. But first, you can read a brief snynopsis of Willow Run Community Schools. I cannot even begin to touch on all of the rich and deep roots of the past 70 years.
Willow Run….
The name stands for the giant plant first run by Henry Ford, where B-24 bombers were built to help gain victories in World War II; then run by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation where cars were built and where the C-119, known as the “Flying Boxcar,” was built for the US Army; and later became the plant where the General Motors Corporation built hydramatic transmissions for its cars. (Taken from the book: The Story of Willow Run by Marion F. Wilson)
Willow Run….
is a fine airport that is known by travelers and pilots from around the world. (Taken from the book: The Story of Willow Run by Marion F. Wilson)
Willow Run….
found a need for temporary houses where thousands of people who lived there built the bombers that helped win the war, where thousands of veterans who fought to win the war claimed these as permanent homes to live with their families, so that they could finish war-interrupted educations. (Taken from the book: The Story of Willow Run by Marion F. Wilson)
Willow Run….
is a name that sings of pioneers of many kinds, the pioneering people who built the bombers, then built the products of peacetime at the place where people learned to live together in harmony, to go to good schools, to learn to be good citizens of a community of which they could be proud. (Taken from the book: The Story of Willow Run by Marion F. Wilson)
Willow Run….
is not only a place, it is the people, their spirit, their resilience, and the spirit of pioneers. (Taken from the book: The Story of Willow Run by Marion F. Wilson)
Willow Run....
The more recent buildings were Thurston-Early Childhood Development Center that housed PreK through first graders. Cheney Elementary that was later changed to Cheney Academy of Math and Science for K through eighth graders. Ford Elementary became a PreK through fifth grade and later a PreK through first grade building. Holmes Elementary became a K through fifth grade building. Henry J. Kaiser Elementary became a PreK through fifth grade building. Charles F. Kettering Elementary was a K through fifth grade building. Edmonson Middle School housed sixth through eighth graders until it was replaced by the Willow Run Middle School in 2004 which was connected to the High School and became a beautiful Secondary Complex. The High School was “Home of the Flyers” and housed ninth through twelfth graders. If you are interested in the buildings before the 90’s The Story of Willow Run is a good read.
WR Flyer Pride 1943 - 2013 Forever In Our Hearts
Cache Questions:
- Look at the entrance of the building with the ramp; how many windows are on this side of the building (only count windows that are on the right side of the door)?
- How many steps are left of the ramp?
Please email me with the answers to the aforementioned questions. Feel free to log your find after sending me the answers.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
Congratulations to 1442 for being FTF!