Tucked along the streets of Gettysburg stands a modest brick home that witnessed one of the most personal tragedies of the American Civil War. This is the Jennie Wade House, where ordinary life was interrupted by extraordinary history.
In July of 1863, as cannon fire echoed across the town and soldiers clashed just beyond its streets, 20-year-old Jennie Wade remained here, caring for her family and neighbors. On the morning of July 3rd, while baking bread for Union soldiers sheltering nearby, a stray bullet passed through the door of this house and ended her life. Jennie Wade became the only known civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.
This location matters not for its size or grandeur, but for what it represents: the silent cost of war carried by those who never wore a uniform. The Jennie Wade House reminds us that history is not only written by generals and armies, but also by everyday people whose lives were forever changed by events beyond their control.
To honor the significance of this location and to ensure a meaningful visit, please complete the following:
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Photo Requirement
Take a photo of yourself, a personal item, or your GPS with the Jennie Wade House clearly visible in the background.
(Faces are not required — privacy respected.)
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Answer This On-Site Question
Look for the statue near the house and answer the following:
Jennie Wade is shown holding two items. What are they?
When logging this virtual cache online:
If an answer is missing or incorrect, you may be contacted and given an opportunity to update your log. Logs that do not meet the requirements may be deleted.
Thank you for visiting this site with respect and care, and for helping preserve the memory of those whose stories are often told quietly. 
► Before this virtual cache, this location was home to my physical geocache titled “The Only Civilian.”
Over the years, it was found and logged more than 1,300 times, and each visit meant a great deal to me.
To everyone who took the time to seek it out, sign the log, and pause here to reflect — thank you. Your visits, stories, and respect for this place helped keep Jennie Wade’s memory alive in a small but meaningful way. While the container may be gone, the spirit of that cache continues here, carried forward through this virtual experience.
I am grateful to share this place with you once again.
Virtual Rewards 5.0 - 2026-2027
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between February 3, 2026 and February 3, 2027. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 5.0 on the Geocaching Blog.