WCG - Wilson Village Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The Washington County GeoTrail
WCG - Wilson Village
The Washington County GeoTrail (WCG) launched on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The Trail consists of over thirty-five (35) geocaches placed at points of interest all over the County. Caches will be found in National, State, County and Town parks as well as at museums, wineries, historical sites and places of natural beauty. A trackable geocoin was awarded to the first 500 geocachers who completed the Washington County Geotrail. The original allotment of Coins has been exhausted and new parameters to receive the updated Coin are below.
To be eligible for the coin, GeoCachers may download the Washington County GeoTrail passport online at www.visitHAGERSTOWN.com or pick one up in person at the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 N. Potomac Street. Completed passports may be verified on site at the above address or by mail.
Please note the following Change. Washington County GeoCoins will be available for purchase at the Visitor Welcome Center for GeoCachers who log 20 or more caches on the Washington County GeoTrail. The cost of the GeoCoin will be $10. An additional $3.50 shipping charge will apply for passports redeemed by mail. For more information about geocaching in Washington County and the full complement of local amenities, the above links are your gateway to historically beautiful Washington County!
Participating in the WCG geotrail is fun and we hope that many people join in. However, it is not a requirement for logging your find on this cache once you find the container.
Wilson Village
Wilson Village is a place apart. With the construction of a 5-arch stone bridge across the Conococheague Creek in the early 1800’s, scores of pioneers had an easier transit pushing west for adventure, land and opportunity. At the same time drovers and farmers pushed their herds and wares east to the population centers. Rufus Wilson saw opportunity, establishing a store, smithy, post office and school on the hill above the bridge. Settlers found a great place to gather supplies, rest and perhaps warm up by a pot-belly stove.
After Rufus’ death in 1883, his son John operated the store until 1919. The store remained open for 50 years until 1975 when the establishment closed. Neglected and deteriorating, it sat idle for eight years, until in 1983 Lewis and Frances Horst bought the Village.
One can view the rest of the story on site. The Horst’s, using only their own resources, lovingly restored first the Pike Inn as their home and later the entire Village. As furnishings were scant, the Horst’s went on a scavenger hunt, collecting and accumulating period furniture and embellishments. Guided by Rufus Wilson’s ledgers, they returned the village as near to its original likeness as possible.
“There’s a feeling of continuity with the past that you sense here, a kinship with all the other people who have passed this way before you down through the years. And it’s a warm and comforting feeling — that reminds some of the good old days within their own memories, and for those too young to have such memories, it’s a nostalgic trip into the world of times past they’ve only visited in fiction and on film.” — Frances Horst
As the above-referenced website states: “For those searching for another era or just looking for an exciting stop and some unique souvenirs and scrumptious treats, Wilson Village is a perfect stop.”
This is a regular size cache. There is ample parking on site. Please seek this only during daylight hours. Thank You.
The Washington County GeoTrail wishes to Thank the Hagerstown Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau for their timely and continuing assistance with this Washington County adventure.
The WCG also wishes to thank the following geocachers who spent countless hours in planning and deploying the caches – ALs Guide, Always Lost 00, Kitakima, LPYankeefan, nomaland, Snurt, tazscouter, and tiger77aam.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
OBNEQJNYX HAQRE