GraveQuest

 

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GraveQuest

Ohio Time Travelers Discover Forgotten History

This unique exploration of Ohio's history was one of our most popular offering ever and gained much media attention.

Each quest leads to interesting discoveries and folklore. Fascinating people and obscure legends are revealed, including the father of the hollow Earth theory and the true 1st African American pro baseball player. Each discovery also leads to pieces of code engraved on tombstones or memorials that will eventually form a word. It is up to you to solve the puzzle.

Although not necessary, the quests provides coordinates for geocachers, those that seek unknown destinations using handheld GPS tracking devices. Both written clues and geocaching coordinates may be used independently to find and solve the mysteries.

This is an entertaining way to discover Ohio legends and folklore. These adventures will hopefully create memories of your own as you travel through time around Ohio and discover forgotten history. If anything, it's a good excuse to see attractions in various regions of the state.

 


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HERE ARE SOME OF THE PAST GRAVEQUESTS

First Quest is a Sure Shot

Second Quest Was Lost in Time

Third Quest is a Journey to the Center of the Earth

Fourth Quest is Chock Full of Suprises

Final Quest is a Mystery

First Quest is a Sure Shot

Who Am I: Chief Sitting Bull nicknamed me "Watanya Cicilla." Buffalo Bill made me famous around the world.

Where am I: Brock Cemetery in Darke county. It is up to you to find the cemetery and tombstone. For geocachers, coordinates are
N: 40° 15.622 and W: 084° 33.645.
Map of area

What you will find: An Ohio icon and American legend.

What you need to bring: A flower to pay respects.

What you need to solve the mystery: The first letter of the second word on the gravestone to break the code.  

Nearby Attractions: Bear's Mill, KitchenAid Experience and Maid Rite, which is a unique eatery.

Second Quest Was Lost in Time

Who Am I: I am the first black major league baseball player but my name is not Jackie Robinson. I was called up 63 years earlier. It even says so on my gravestone and in the very first edition of the board game Trivial Pursuit

Where am I: Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Ohio (Section P). For geocachers, coordinates are N: 40° 21.884 and W: 080° 38.274.

What you will find: A beautiful place that winds forever into the rolling wooded hills with creeks so bring walking shoes because it is worth the stroll.

What you need to bring: A flower to pay respects.

What you need to solve the mystery: The second letter of the first word on the gravestone to break the code.  

Nearby Attractions: Steubenville "City of Murals" and hometown of Dean Martin, Old Fort Steuben, The Ohio River and Creegan Animation Factory.

Third Quest is a Journey to the Center of the Earth

Who Am I: Many thought I was nuts for my hollow Earth theory. It is also referred to as the Theory of Concentric Spheres or Polar Voids. I fought most my life to get funding to prove it. Instead I was ridiculed. But there were times the mainstream scientific community lent some credibility. My tombstone looks like a monument and has a hollow Earth atop its peak. I have a famous uncle with the same exact name.

Where am I: The burial ground where I lay to rest is long gone yet my grave stone remains in what is now a playground in Hamilton, Ohio at the southeast quadrant of 3rd Street and Sycamore. For geocachers, coordinates are N: 39° 23.711 and W: 084° 33.699.

What you will find: A very interesting story behind my life and theories, a playground, and a fun town to explore.

What you need to bring: A flower to pay respects.

What you need to solve the mystery: This one is a little trickier than the others. You will need to look at the words actually on the monument above a plaque on the side closest to a large nearby tree (the nearest tree to the grave). Abbreviations and initials each represent one word each. You want the second letter of the fourth word to break the code.

Nearby Attractions: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, City of Sculpture, and Jungle Jim's.

 

Fourth Quest is Chock Full of Surprises

  This quest is a three-parter, all in the same general location.

Who Are We? One used to be the richest man on Earth and would love today's oil prices, the second busted Al Capone for tax evasion, and the third was assassinated while President of the United States. 

Where are we? Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. For Geocachers, coordinates are:

  • N: 41° 30.673
    W: 081° 35.474
     

  • N: 41° 30.834
    W: 081° 35.571
     

  • N: 41° 30.604
    W: 081° 35.486

What you will find: A cemetery that doubles as an arboretum and outdoor museum. Tours are often scheduled, including architecture, trolley, and geology. It is also a destination for horticulturalists. Many legendary personalities rest within along side all walks of life. Cassettes and CDs are available at the office for self-guided tours.

What you need to bring: A flower for each grave to pay respects and a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

What you need to solve the mystery:
Stop at the office and get a map for starters. Then ...

  1. For the one described as once being the richest man on Earth, you will need to face his head stone next to his monument. There will be three head stones in a row with this person's in the middle. But you want the 3rd letter of the 1st word on the headstone immediately to the right.
     

  2. For the one credited with putting Al Capone behind bars, you will need the 3rd letter of the 1st word on his marker (which is next to a pond where his ashes were spread).
     

  3. For Mr. President, find the front door. Then look at the sign or plaque facing you at the top of the steps (while still outside the door). In the fourth line down, get the last letter in the first word. If you visit this one any day between 9am and 3pm, journey inside and to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the North Coast and Cleveland skyline.

Nearby Attractions: Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Western Reserve Historical Society. For a good meal and shopping, head just outside the cemetery down Mayfield Road (Murray Hill) into the heart of Little Italy. Many shops and restaurants await. Make sure you don't leave without Canoli from one of the bakeries.

 

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