Skip to content

Who's Buried in Wayne's Tomb(s) ? Virtual Cache

A cache by vds Message this owner
Hidden : 10/13/2002
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   virtual (virtual)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Learn some obscure and gruesome details about one of the more controversial generals in American history by visiting one of the TWO graves of Mad Anthony Wayne.

Reportedly the Presque Isle final location is closed due to COVID-19, so accessing the Erie location is currently impossible. Please do not log a false 'find' as your log will be (reluctantly) deleted. Just keep this one in your to-do list until access to the site is permitted again. Thank you.
COORDS ARE APPROXIMATE

Anthony Wayne, famous general of Ticonderoga and loser at the Paoli Massacre, died on Presque Island in Erie PA in 1796. At his request, he was buried at the foot of the flagstaff there.

Twelve years later, his son wished to move the remains to the family plot in St. Davids Church near Radnor PA, a few miles from the family home "Waynesborough".

Apparently to lessen the cost/effort of transporting the remains, they decided to boil the body, separating the flesh from the bones. For some unknown reason, the flesh wound up being reburied in Erie, and the bones made the trip to Radnor. Talk about separation anxiety !!!

To score this cache, post a picture of yourself at either one of the 'two' graves of Anthony Wayne.

  • The original one is in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1080) - location N 42° 08.406 W 080° 04.460
  • The second more well-known gravesite is in the Old St. David's church near Radnor, PA (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2711)

For the GORY details, see the fascinating writeup at http://www.madanthonywayne.org/grave.html, which includes pointers to driving directions etc.

If you're scoring the eastern-PA grave, be sure to visit the beautiful grounds and homesite of Waynesborough just outside Paoli PA. The slide show and tour is $5.00, and I found it well worth the money, all proceeds go to upkeep on the site. Make sure to take the short hike past the abandoned well to the old spring house nearby, and check out the 'impressive' trees on the property.

Coordinates above are for the St. Davids Cemetery. This is not a park+grab, so PLEASE no more whining about needing to work a 'little' to find the actual site. The intent is for you to actually explore a bit to find Mad Anthony. PLEASE NO MORE WHINING LOGS! See the other pictures for help.

Special thanks to uccacher who helped Kache Kids and Facedances score the Erie portion of the cache after over EIGHT years since first publication plus 150+ finds of the SE Pennsylvania location.

(local tie-in fun fact: I went to General Wayne Jr. HS in Malvern for 7th and 8th grade Fall'69 - Spring'71)

Additional Hints (No hints available.)