Difficulty: 🤠🤠
Distance: Approximately 3.3 miles round trip.
What to bring: An internet-connected device with GPS and something to write with and on as you decipher the clues.
How does this adventure work?
Grab your bike or a good pair of walking shoes and get ready to explore the incredible green infrastructure projects that are transforming the City of Lancaster. You will receive a clue to help you find a number hidden on a building, sign, or even a poll nearby at each location! You will need each of those numbers at the end of your adventure to unlock a secret page that will reveal the final location where the treasure is hidden!
Stop 1: Plum & Walnut Streets
1.4 million gallons of stormwater captured & filtered each year.
Location: 40.043538, -76.298436
Clue: There were numerous partners involved in “the making of the Lancaster Gateway Bundle.” One of those companies has a number in its name. (one-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 2: 247 East Orange Street – Passmore House
Former home of “Hizzoner” John Passmore, the eccentric and larger than life first mayor of Lancaster.
Location: 40.040273, -76.299648
Learn More: https://wp.me/PazrDx-4s8
Clue: On the North Shippen Street side of the building, find the fire mark plaque. Record the numbers listed upon it. (three-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 3: North Jefferson & Grant Streets
450,000 gallons of stormwater captured & filtered each year.
Location: 40.039374, -76.300585
Clue: The year of Charlie’s Star. (four-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 4: 247 East Orange Street – Passmore House
The carved eavesdropper under the west roof corner is the only one of its kind in Lancaster. It reminds passersby not to gossip since someone is always listening. The concept of the eavesdropper dates back to the court of King Henry VIII.
Location: 40.038274, -76.302928
Learn More: https://wp.me/PazrDx-4rY
Clue: Find the cornerstone located between the windows of the second story. Record the number of letters in Bausman’s wife’s first name. (one-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 5: 2 North Water Street – Sheriff “Devil Dave” Miller
It was in this spot in 1835 that Lancaster County Sheriff “Devil Dave” Miller helped three prisoners escape.
Location: 40.038015, -76.308539
Learn more: https://wp.me/PazrDx-4sz
Clue: Find the plaque along the back of the Fulton Theatre dedicated to John Durang. Record the year he was born. (four-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 6: Community Mennonite Church
500,000 gallons of stormwater captured & filtered each year.
Location: 40.038338, -76.311458
Clue: Need something to read? The charter number of the church’s little free library. (five-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 7: North Mulberry Street & West Marion Street – Shreiners Cemetery
Abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens was buried per his instructions in Lancaster’s Shreiners Cemetery. At the time, it was the only cemetery in the City with no restrictions for internment based on color or race.
Location: 40.040018, -76.310559
Learn More: https://wp.me/PazrDx-4sP
Clue: Find and record the two-digit number engraved on Stevens tomb. (two-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 8: 123 North Prince Street – Sehner-Ellicott von Hess House
The Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House was the home of Andrew Ellicott, the first U.S. Surveyor General who famously helped map the western territories and the District of Columbia.
Location: 40.040072, -76.308219
Learn More: https://wp.me/PazrDx-4t0
Clue: What year was the Sehner-Ellicott von Hess House restored? (four-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 9: West Walnut & N Prince Street
484,000 gallons of stormwater captured & filtered each year.
Location: 40.042781, -76.308774
Clue: The line below the H4 on the pole. (two-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it later to reveal the location of the treasure.
Stop 10: Charlotte Street
3.4 million gallons of stormwater captured & filtered each year.
Location: 40.040919, -76.313193
Clue: Cornerstone date of C. Emlen Urban designed school named after a famous abolitionist. (four-digit number)
Be sure to write down the solution. You will need it to reveal the location of the treasure.
Congratulations on finishing the Adventure!
You now have all the clues you need to find the location of the hidden treasure!
Clue: To unlock the treasure’s location, find the sum of the numbers you deciphered at each location by adding them together. (five-digit number)