Historic Danbury Cache Multi-Cache

In the mid 1800’s the land where Danbury is now located was predominately owned by Amos Shackleford, who was a local tavern owner. The legend goes that three commissioners were appointed to relocate the Stokes County seat, which was in the town of Germanton, to the center of the county. So these three commissioners climbed to the highest point in the area (most likely Moore’s Knob) to survey the land for an appropriate spot. They were unable to come to an agreement so they retired to Mr. Shackleford’s tavern. Mr. Shackleford upon hearing of their mission convinced the commissioners that the best possible place for the county seat was on his land. The town of Danbury was founded in 1849 and is located on the banks of the Dan River, from which it receives its name.

As you approach the coordinates you can park anywhere along Main Street. At the posted coordinates you will be standing on the front steps of the Old Courthouse. From this location you will need to answer some questions relating to monuments, markers, and other objects located around the Old Courthouse and City Hall (all within walking distance). You can then either drive or walk south along main street to the present day Danbury Community Church, the Old Jail, and Riverside Baptist Church for the rest of the questions.

The answers you determine will give you coordinates for the final cache location.
H I S ° T O . R I C
D A N ° B U . R Y !

HERE ARE THE CLUES
POSTED COORDINATES: You will find yourself standing on the front steps of the Old Courthouse.
Locate the Stoneman’s Raid Plaque.
H = the first letter of the fifth word in the paragraph of the plaque.
I = the second number at the top of the plaque.
Next walk up the steps and to the left along the sidewalk. From this location you can see the Old McCanless Hotel across the street. Nathaniel Moody who built and owned the iron foundry in Danbury also built this structure in 1843. Nathaniel Moody also served as the Sheriff of Stokes County from 1860 to 1863. Dr. William W. McCanless was a physician in Danbury who purchased this building from Nathaniel Moody. The Moody House then became known as the McCanless Hotel. Dr. McCanless also founded the Piedmont Springs Inn, a popular summer resort during this time. You can visit Dr. McCanless’ gravesite in the Danbury Cemetery just north of this location.
Now locate the Civil War Monument located in the southwest corner of the Courthouse yard.
Find the plaque with the Danbury Blues:
S = the second number of the day they were organized.
Find the plaque with the Stokes Boys:
T = the number of the day they were organized.
Find the plaque with the Mountain Boys:
O = the first number in the day they were organized.
Look on the north side bottom of the center monument:
R = the second number in the day the monument was erected.
Next find the World War Monument just to the east of the Civil War Monument!
I = the last number in the second year on the plaque.
Next locate the memorial plaque under the Fraser Fir tree in the southeast corner of the yard.
C = the last number in the year on the plaque.
From this vantage point you can look east past the Farm Bureau Office and see the Old Bank of Stokes County and the Wilson Fulton Home. the Wilson Fulton Home is now the offices of the Stokes County Historical Society and museum.

TOWN HALL: N 36° 24.598 W 80° 12.339
This building once served as a lawyers office and is now home to the Danbury Town Hall and offices.
D = the fourth letter of the second to last word above the door.
A = the sum of the numbers above the door.
N = subtract 2 from the last number in year on the plaque to the right of the door.
B = first number above the door.
From this point you can either walk east to the other locations, but you may consider driving.

DANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH: N 36° 24.545 W 80° 12.188
This church was built in 1894 and was known as the Danbury Presbyterian Church. The Church now serves as the Danbury Community Church.
U = the number of openings on the bell tower at the top of the church.
R = subtract the number of windows on the front of the church from the number of windows on the right side of the church.

OLD DANBURY JAIL: N 36° 24.557 W 80° 12.108
This two-story brick structure was built in 1904. The property is currently privately owned so please don’t go snooping around it. Looking across the street from the Old Jail, find the blue sign.
Y = subtract the number of letters in the last word on sign from the number of letters in the first word on the sign.

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH: N 36° 24.549 W 80° 12.061
After leaving the Old Jail going east you will come to the Old Clark Memorial Presbyterian Church built in 1893, now known as the Riverside Baptist Church.
! = subtract 2 from the number of all the windows in the chruch.

This almost concludes your tour of the Historic Town of Danbury. Now plug in your numbers for the final and off to another part of Historic Danbury that has already been mentioned above, and the cache. Please use discretion when uncovering the cache as to not draw attention to the location. The cache is a large Tupperware container. Please cover the cache back well to prevent it from being plundered. THANKS!!

While in town stop by the Dan River Art Market, located across the street from the Old Courthouse. Here you will find all kinds of local artists work and paintings of some of these historic buildings you have visited. They may also be able to provide you with more history of Danbury and Stokes County. If you get hungry on your tour you may stop by any of the local restaurants. I would recommend a sandwich, a cup of coffee, and any pastry from the Artist Way Bakery located beside the Arts Market. I hope that you’ve enjoyed your tour of my hometown!

Thanks for hunting my fifth cache!
Sauratown Smokey

Smokey Says, “REMEMBER, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires”.