We found our very first geocache at this location on 5/18/2007. We recently noticed that the original geocache has been archived for a couple years so we decided that it was time to revive it. This is just too good of a history lesson to let it go unseen by more people. The National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was instrumental in connecting the East Coast with the growing frontiers of the West. The LaVale Toll House was once a checkpoint for this route. The Toll House and the area around it are still kept up pretty good but I'm not sure who or what group is taking care of it. At one time tours were given and an historian was on site a couple days a week to talk about the Toll House and even now it's open occasionally but not on a regular schedule. Hopefully all of that will return someday. However, it is still interesting to walk around the grounds and imagine how things were "back in the day".
The LaVale Toll House was built in 1833 and is the last remaining Toll House in Maryland. However, there are 2 other Toll Houses further west on old Rt. 40 in Pennsylvania. The seven sided building has windows that were designed to allow the gatekeeper to see traffic in both directions on the old National Road. While you're there take some time to read the plaques and signs and don't forget to look in the windows. It's all very interesting.
The cache you seek is on the Toll House property but not right around the Toll House itself. There is no room for swag and bring your own pen. This cache has been muggled so I moved it to an easier and better place for all to find. After all, the purpose of this cache is to let people see and read about this nice piece of history. Congratulations to jercade and journey374 for the "FTF".