You will not find a more impressive and inspiring site in Mecklenburg County than the Confederate War Memorial located in Elmwood Cemetery. The memorial was erected by women of Charlotte in 1887 and is surrounded by many graves of Confederate war and post war dead. This is a cache that you don't want to be a quick, let's get this one and move on to another. Take time to enjoy the memorial. Go inside the fence and feel the presence of the pride and honor memorialized there. Read the history of the units recruited from Mecklenburg recorded on the several stelae.
The memorial is maintained by Egbert A. Ross Camp #1423, Sons of Confederate Veterans. Surely, without the support of this Camp the memorial would have fallen, and remained, in disrepair. To learn more about the monument Click here
Elmwood cemetery is surely one of the most beautiful and impressive places in Charlotte. It is a large cemetery located near downtown Charlotte; yet most are unaware of its presence. Take the time to drive or walk around the cemetery and enjoy this jewel in Charlotte's crown. I strongly recommend taking Top Cats' cache tour, Ol' Cemetery (GCE3ED).
As beautiful and important as Elmwood and nearby Pinewood cemeteries are they are threatened. For a town as burgeoning as Charlotte, such property does not meet the "highest and best use" criteria. To learn more about the Elmwood and Pinewood cemeteries view the following links Click here
To find the actual cache you will have to solve the following:
Count the number of grave markers surrounding the obelisk and the number of large stelae around the edge of the fence.
NOTE: On February 10, 2016 the number of stelae was changed which is reflected in the calculation below.
NOTE: On May 8, 2016 the number of stelae was changed once again. The calculations have been changed.>/p>
N 35* 14.xxx
W 080* 51.yyy
xxx: ((grave markers) + 182)
yyy: (stelae x 17)
checksum: x+x+x+y+y+y=18
Checksums are not perfect. You may wish to confirm your calculations with the geochecker below.
These coordinates might indicate that the cache is within the cemetery. However, if you approach it as such, you will see that the cache is well outside the cemetery. Now that is a huge hint. Note the additional waypoint at the end of this listing.
If the gates are closed at Rays' Splash Planet, park on the street in the 200 block of N. Sycamore Street and walk to the cache. To learn about RSP Click here
Please ensure that the cache container is tightly closed before replacing the container. We have all experienced soggy caches; let not this be one. Hide the container as you found it, well hidden from muggles.
This cache was placed by a member of the
Greater Charlotte Geocaching Club