Let's Do Dallas Multi-Cache
Eswau: I think this one has run it course - hasn't been found in over 9 months plus the new fire dept near the final stage might make it hard to avoid suspicion. - One of my favorites, but it's time has come
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A quick and easy multicache that takes you for a short walk along the Dallas town square. While it would be possible to drive from spot to spot, it isn’t necessary. The entire hunt will take less than an hour. The final cache is a small container and will only hold the logbook and very small items such as pins, coins and trinkets.
Formed in the 1840s, Dallas was named for James Polk’s Vice President, George Mifflin Dallas (as well as nine other towns). I think there might be one in Texas. Today the town still has over a dozen buildings that were used in the early formation of Dallas. This Geocache will take you to four of them but you will be walking by several houses and stores from the same period. The start of your history lesson begins at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History. If you are here when it is open, go in and ask for the “ Historic Dallas, A Stroll Through 19th Century America” brochure. It’s where I got most of the information for this cache from. It also tells about the other buildings that I haven’t listed. I’m not sure how familiar all of the staff is about the brochure though. When I requested one, the person working had to make several phone calls before someone from an upstairs office brought one down to me. Still, it’s worth a try.
The main coordinates will take you to here:
**The Hoffman Hotel**
Now the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, this building was originally the Hoffman Hotel. Built in 1852 it had 44 rooms. The hotel had a parlor and a dining room, which remained busy during the years the hotel was opened.
Question (A) Gaston County aquired the hotel in the year 19xx (answer is the last 2 digits)
Also notice:
Sandifer-Friday House (115 W Main St) Built in 1903. Notice the square tile tin roof. This roof style was patented in 1910 and was known as the Dallas Shingle.
**Courthouse**
N 35 18.951
W 081 10.561
Built in 1847 the courthouse replaced a small log building that was located on the same square. Four times a year the courthouse held Court of Pleas and Quarters Sessions. During these sessions the town bustled with activity. Farmers would sell fresh produce while the taverns and hotels would be filled with guests.
Question (B) Looking at the courthouse main entrance, what is the street number on the front door?
Also Notice: Across the street from the courthouse entrance
Matthews Hotel (126 N Gaston St) Built in 1870 The courthouse juries were housed here.
Holland-Friday House (128 N Gaston St) Boyhood home of William C Friday, past president of the UNC college system.
Rhyne Store (130 N Gaston St) Built in 1850
**Jail**
N 35 18.999
W 081 10.520
Built in 1847. The sheriff’s office and family living quarters were on the first level and the prisoners were kept upstairs. The building was used as a jail until 1911 when the county seat was moved to Gastonia. Over the years the building has housed several retail shops with the last one I can remember, being a Peddler Steak House in the early 80s. The building is now owned by Gaston County.
Question (C) How many iron hinges are used to hold the grates covering the two front doors?
**Smyre-Pasour House**
N 35 18.967
W 081 10.641
Built in 1850 it is the oldest known residence in Dallas. Notice the stone block beside the sidewalk, it was used for the women to mount their horses. You can also see a 19th century brick outbuilding in the backyard.
Question (D) How many front doors on this house?
To find the Geocache use the following formula
Add A+B+705 N 35 18.???
Add C+D W081 10.6?6
The Geocache container is a black Sucrets type box.
While the Geocache is pretty well concealed, you will be out in the open looking for it – Please be discrete. Also, bring your own pen or pencil.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jura lbh trg gb gur raq bs gur uhag, ybbx sbe n cnary bs rvtug ynetr obygf. Gur pnpur vf irel pybfr gb guvf cnary.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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