1) At location #1 (N 37° 41.728 W 121° 46.430) visit grave of William Mendenhall. Known as the founder of the Livermore, he was first buried at Oak Knoll Cemetery near the corner of Stanley and Wall. William Mendenhall named the town after his friend, pioneer Robert Livermore. At this location find the name on the step leading to Mendenhall family plot. The number of letters in this name equals X.
2) Over the Internet find information about the plaque dedicated to Robert Livermore (CA Historical Landmark #241, N 37° 41.462 W 121° 46.508). His ranch was located about 0.4 miles NNW of this location. The grave of Robert Livermore is in the sanctuary of Mission San Jose. From the information on the plaque find the year Robert Livermore settled on his Rancho Las Positas. The last two digits in that year are A and B, that is, the year is 18AB.
3) The plaque at location #3 (N 37° 40.800 W 121° 46.962) commemorates the first non-agricultural industry in Livermore – a fire brick and terra cotta plant. Bricks made here were used all around the Pacific. At this location the number of stamped bricks surrounding the plaque equals V.
4) The railroad was brought into Livermore Valley in August 1869, a very important development. The first depot station was a freight car. The depot now at location #4 (N 37° 41.100 W 121° 46.045) was built in the late 1800s. It was saved from destruction in the early 1970s by the Livermore Heritage Guild, rebuilt, and is now being renovated (2018). At location #4 the plaque shows the year the station was built, 189T (find the value for T). The year the station ended functioning as a railroad station was 196U (find the value for U).
5) Wente Brothers Winery is the oldest continuously operating family-owned winery in California. It says just that on the plaque at location #5 (N 37° 39.882 W 121° 43.537). [This spot is accessible daily between 11 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.] This area is temporarily closed to the public for remodeling (Winter 2022). You can find the required information on the Internet, E Clampus Vitus marker #957. The plaque notes the year that the Wente family introduced California’s first varietal wine label, Sauvignon Blanc. That year is 19CD (find the values for C and D).
6) The given coordinates (N 37° 39.167 W 121° 46.208) are for the estate of Christopher Augustine Buckley Sr., known as the “Blind Boss” of San Francisco. Although he never held political office, he ruled the Democrat Party in San Francisco and the state for two decades in the late 1800s. His power made him wealthy, and he bought 100 acres in Livermore. The Cottage was built first, and the Main House was built in 1891. The estate is open only twice a year, and for private parties. Find the year the Cottage was built, and it would probably be best to do this over the Internet. The year is 18EF (find the values for E and F).
We appreciate the research help from the friendly people at the Livermore Heritage Guild. Visit them at the Carnegie Library (N 37° 40.782 W 121° 46.112) or on their website (LHG)
The final cache is a short distance from the location of Robert Livermore's original Rancho Las Positas.
The cache is located at N 37° 4U.VT9 W 121° 4X.YZ7.
Y=A+B-U and Z=E-F-C
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
Other caches related to the history of Livermore:
World Record Light Bulb by fizzymagic (GC6B3A)
Centennial Curse by fizzymagic (GC6B1D)
Highway Garage by Bear n Grin it (GCNCVX)
Inman School by Badwaterboy (GCVF8E)
Livermore Larupper by bellatrix78 (GCVNQA)
The Day the Music Died by bellatrix78 (GCY8TJ)
Lone Oak Farm/Highland School by Badwaterboy (GC1WZAG)