During the first challenge along the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTrail, over 400 first edition SSB geocoins were awarded. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour. We are currently out of geocoins but stay tuned for other opportunities along the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour!
Come on a journey to remember and commemorate the dramatic chain of events, people and places that led to the birth of our National Anthem.
The story of the Star-Spangled Banner was shaped by the events of the Chesapeake Campaign during the War of 1812. From February 1813 until February 1815, the Chesapeake Bay was the center of a fierce struggle between the British and Americans. Places and landscapes still exist today that provide a touchstone to the past. The trail traces events and related sites that figured prominently in the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 that have national significance, physical integrity, and the potential for contemporary recreation and interpretation.
This fun puzzle/multi cache will take you on a tour of the beautiful Fort Boykin Historic Park. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. till dusk.
Fort Boykin has played a role in American history since 1623 when a fort known as “The Castle” was constructed to protect Jamestown colonists from American Indians and Spaniards. Later, it was renamed for Maj. Francis Boykin, a local merchant who served on Gen. George Washington’s staff during the Revolution. Situated on bluffs overlooking the James River, the site’s commanding view makes it a keen observation point. In addition, shallow areas in the river below bring the navigable channel close to the shoreline, bringing almost all vessels into firing range of the fort.
During the War of 1812, Fort Boykin was rebuilt into the shape of an irregular seven-pointed star. The British attempted only one landing at Fort Boykin; however, they were beaten by the local milita under the command of Capt. David Dick and Capt. Charles Wrenn. This marked the last time British forces would attempt an incursion so far up the James.
Abandoned shortly after the conflict, the Fort was again called into duty during the Civil War. Between June 1861 and May 1862, the Confederate Army rebuilt the fort as a part of their defensive system. It was one of in a series of earthworks designed to prevent inland invasion by the Union, whose buildup at the mouth of the James River posed a severe threat to Richmond, the Confederate capital. On May 8, 1862, three Union gunboats, one of which was the ironclad USS Galena , moved within firing range of Fort Boykin. The Galena’s guns, which had a longer range than those of Fort Boykin, overwhelmed the Confederates within an hour – causing them to abandon the fort.
Today, Fort Boykin remains essentially intact and constitutes a well-preserved example of military architecture. Admission to the Fort is free and it is open daily from 8am to dusk.
Cache Details:
Cross the bridge. Count the wooden steps up to the top of the earthen wall.
Number of steps = A.
Find your way to the well. Count the number of bricks around the bottom ring of the well.
Number of bottom bricks = B.
Count the number of bricks around the top of the well.
Number of top bricks = C.
Wind your way over to the Beach Access. Note the three numbers for the Beach hours shown on the sign. Add the three numbers together.
Sum of hour numbers = D. Feel free to walk down to the beach.
Mosey on over to the Garden. Find the words “Moseley” and “Josiah” on the plaque. Under each word is a year. Add the eight numbers together. (example: years 2009 and 2010 would be 2+0+0+9+2+0+1+0= 14)
Sum of year numbers = E.
Final Coordinates:
N 37 02. A plus B
W 076 37. C plus D minus E
Note: 11-09-2019 - Cache has been slightly to a better hiding spot. After solving for the coordinates, perform the following projection 61.152 feet at 252.6 degrees.
Thanks to Great Scott for helping with this hide and to the Maryland Geocaching Society for assisting with this project!