These coordinates will take you to the village of Kaskaskia, Illinois. Kaskaskia is located on the WEST side of the Mississippi River. But wait isn’t the Mississippi River the border between Illinois and Missouri? Check on your history of this region around the end of the 19th century. There was a ‘high water’ event that changed the shape of things. Kaskaskia was the first capital of the territory of Illinois and has a unique history. France sent two bells to America. One is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the other is located here in Kaskaskia. It is interesting that both bells have developed cracks. I have been told that this church structure is only the third rebuilding of the church. The bricks used here are from the second building.
Link 1
Link 2
The above links provide some information on the history of Kaskaskia and additional information on the “Curse”.
The church is open on Saturday afternoons for a weekly mass. If someone knows if it is open any other time please let me know.
To log this cache you will have to go to the village of Kaskaskia and read the four plaques or signs. You might want to bring a calculator.
N AB CD.EFG
W HJ KL.MNP
A = The year that Clark occupied the town divided by 592. Discard the decimal portion of the answer.
B = A + 4
C = The last digit in the year the Liberty Bell of the West Plaque was erected.
D = The second digit in the date referred to by the ‘National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century’.
E = The number of men that Lewis and Clark arrived with minus twenty-two.
F = The year that Clark captured Kaskaskia divided by four hundred forty four, discard the decimal portion of this answer.
G = The numerical equivalent of the one hundred and sixteenth letter on the Lewis and Clark sign.
H = Use the same plaque used for F. What is the numerical equivalent of the 12th letter on that plaque?
J = Add the two dates listed for the arrival of Clark and his troops near Kaskaskia.
K = A freebie it is the same as C.
L = Add together the first and the last digits of the date and year that Lewis and Clark arrived in Kaskaskia. Then add one to that answer.
M = The numerical equivalent of the twenty-eighth letter on the ‘Lewis and Clark in Kaskaskia’ sign.
N = The approximate number of troops that Clark raised minus 170.
P = What day (date) was the ‘Liberty Bell of the West’ rung in celebration.
A suggestion was made that check sums would be helpful. OK
North coord = 26 West coord = 43
While you are here go to the building housing the Bell of the West. It is the closest building to Illinois street. There are two buttons next to the door on the right hand side. Forget about what Mom always said about pressing buttons and press the big one and then after something has happened press the smaller one.
If you are traveling from the Illinois side of the river try stopping by GCW3X0 and then once across the river you’ll find that fuel is much less expensive.
Enjoy!