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Size: 
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This cache is located near the Lexington Historical Museum and is labeled with the Santa Fe National Historic Trail logo and the yellow Santa Fe Trail Association logo, The President of the board has given us permission to place this cache here.
If you are participating in the Passport activity, the code word is located on the inside of the container, on the top of the lid and is clearly identified as Code Word. Lexington, Missouri, located on the bluffs of the Missouri River was platted in 1822, near William Jack's Ferry, which had been established three years earlier on the south bank of the river. The first ferry was established in 1819 by Lexington's founder, Gilead Rupe. In 1823, Lexington became the county seat of Lafayette County and grew rapidly. John Aull opened a mercantile store in 1822, and he was soon joined by his brothers James and Robert Aull. The Aull Brothers firm soon had stores also operating in Independence, Westport and Liberty, MO. Other merchants came, as did farmers and planters who specialized in hemp, tobacco and cattle. Lexington was a bustling and prosperous city, the largest city west of St. Louis in the 1830s and 1840's. During that period, it was the major center for merchants and outfitters as trappers, traders, and emigrants prepared to travel westward on the Santa Fe Trail. Goods sent west from Lexington were valued at $450,000 in 1843. Rope walks, slaughter houses, a foundry and a furniture factory were among other early Lexington industries. In the 1840s, Russell, Majors and Waddell established its headquarters on Main Street. In the 1850s, these three men had 3500 wagons carrying goods from Missouri to Sacramento, Denver, and other points, and in 1860, they were the founders of the Pony Express. The steamboat trade on the river became a hugely profitable investment, and the wharf was a center of commerce. Productive coal mines, among the first in the state, were dug into the surrounding river bluffs to provide fuel for river steamers. Lexington is home to many historical buildings and homes including, the Waddell home, 1704 South Street, built in the 1840's and the Shea House, 1611 South Street, built 1836-1839 and has fine Greek fretwork on the cornice. The northeast corner of 10th and Main is the former site of the building housing the freight offices of Russell, Majors and Waddell, however, it collapsed in the 1920's. The Lexington Historical Museum can provide information on other historic buildings and homes in the town. LEXINGTON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is located at 112 South 13th Street ● 660-259-6313 Built in 1846, as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the Lexington Historical Museum has been located within the building since 1976. The Greek Revival style building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The museum contains extensive exhibits on the steamboat era, the Pony Express, Civil War artifacts, coal mining and early Lexington history. Admission is charged. The hours of operation vary depending on volunteer help to staff the museum. YThe Lexington Chamber of Commerce is located at 1016 Main Street, and can provide more information on local historical information. You can call them at:(660) 259-3082 While in Lexington, take time to visit the Irish Hill Park, a site on the local Santa Fe Trail Auto Tour. Coordinates for the park are: N 39° 10.797 W 093° 53.722. This park is at the base of what is known locally as "Irish Town Hill.'' After the Civil War the hemp industry in this area died, but it was soon replaced by many coal mines. Thousands of miners came to the area and, as you might guess, the Irish miners lived on this hill. Since the coal in this area is soft, dirty coal, the mines were all gone by the 1960's. At the end of the section of brick paved street at the bottom of "Irish Town Hill" is the Santa Fe Trail Daughters of the American Revolution marker. The DAR marker was placed here in 1909 to mark where Santa Fe traffic went on the river route through Wellington, which is a town about seven miles to the west. It is thought that this route was an important alternative when the river was low. This DAR marker is one of the stops on a local Santa Fe Trail auto tour through the city of Lexington, MO.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur onfr bs gur "Fnagn Sr Genvy Qevivat Gbhe #6" fvta -- ybbxf yvxr n oevpx