This geocache is part of the West Bend GeoTour:
Twenty geocaches have been hidden throughout our historic city that highlight the best of West Bend in any season!
To earn a geocoin, teams must pick up a West Bend GeoTour Passport from the Chamber of Commerce (preferred method) or download a passport. Collect 25 points as detailed in the passport. See complete details at visitwestbend.com/geocaching-2.
Remember to record the password from this cache in your GeoTour Passport!
GeoTour Stop #10: St Agnes Historic Convent and School
The convent and order of the Sisters of St Agnes was founded here in 1858 by Father Caspar Rehrl who had come to Wisconsin from native Austria in 1844, founding many churches and schools in the Milwaukee area. The property was originally owned by Barton Salisbury, the founder of Barton. His wooden house, no longer standing, was located here.
The sisters were an order dedicated to teaching the young. They founded one of the earliest schools in the region and welcomed students of all denominations and ethnic backgrounds. In fact, St. Mary's School in Barton was founded in 1850 by Father Caspar Roehl and the Sisters. It is the oldest running Catholic School in the State of Wisconsin and the third oldest Catholic School in the nation.
Near the cache location, there is a very informative sign with more information about the Sisters of St Agnes and their convent and school. Father Rehrl's Rectory still stands today as an excellent representation of fieldstone construction and 1850’s pioneer living. Tours of the rectory are free but only given a few times per year. Go to the Washington County Historical Society site for details on the dates and times.
The Geocache: You are looking for a regular-sized container with plenty of room for swag and trackables. You will have to answer a question found in the cache container to obtain the GeoTour password. Permission was granted to hide this cache by Patricia Lutz at the Historical Society.