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ALLH#14- Annandale Methodist Cache Traditional Geocache

Hidden : 2/12/2009
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

You are looking for a test tube container at the historic Annandale Methodist Church. This is part of my ALLH (A Little Local History) series.

I got a very poor accuracy reading so the hint is a give away. If early finders can comment on the coords, I will change the hint.

side view

Annandale Methodist Church

The original church was constructed in 1846 on land donated by William Gargas who ran a blacksmith where Columbia Pike hits the Little River Turnpike (LRT). Historians now say the original site is where the nearby convenience store stands today. The intersection of Gallows and Columbia Pike was a cornerstone of the village even then.

Throughout the fall of 1861 and early 1862 Union forces used the church and the grounds as headquarters. No one knows when Union troops burned it down. One source says it was with the Union retreating east after 2nd Manassas and the Battle of Ox Hill. Another source states it was burned in 1864 by the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry as retribution for local sympathizing with the Confederates. Let’s go with the latter. Throughout the war, the 2nd Mass met Mosby’s men in skirmishes many times and a mutual respect was built.

Sergeant Elhanan W. Wakefield

Part of the 2nd Mass, Wakefield, an Ohioan returned to NoVA after the war. He listed nearby Alexandria as his home when being discharged from medical attention after the Valley Campaign. During the war, while stationed nearby, he had heard singing at Mary (Rebecca) Tennison’s house (near present day LRT Shopping Center closer to the Beltway). He stopped in, introduced himself and notified her of her intent to marry her. Upon returning from the war, he followed through on that promise months later!

Later, Wakefield was ordained as a Methodist minister. He rebuilt the church using his pre-war carpentry skills. He was a wild haired bellowing preacher with quite a reputation for crazy sermons. After serving the Annandale flock for a while, he built a similar looking chapel on the bequest of O.G.Besley outside the Beltway. This church was named Wakefield Chapel and stands today.

Gallows Road

At Annandale Methodist starts Gallows Road. It terminates at 123 near Tysons near Freedom Hill. This was the location of the original fairfax Courthouse in 1742. (Notice Lawyer's Road and Courthouse Roads both in Vienna get you to the old Courthouse site as well.) The jail at the time was in Alexandria. Condemned prisoners were transported down Columbia Pike to Gallows Road and hence to the Courthouse.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Onfr bs n ovt gerr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)