Near Colby in Thomas County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Oldest Active Geocache

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 8, 2021

1. The Oldest Active Geocache Marker

Inscription.
Mingo, also known as GC30, was placed just east of this spot by the Kansas Stasher on May 11, 2000. This was the seventh Geocache to be placed in the world. Little did the Kansas Stasher know that by 2002 this hide would become the oldest surviving geocache in the world. Through many trials and tribulations this cache has survived for over 20 years. To commemorate the longevity this plaque is being place to celebrate its place in Geocaching History.
N 39° 16.677 W 100° 56.621

Erected 2020 by Mingo Madness Team and funded by the Geocache Talk Network.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Exploration. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 2000.

Location. 39° 16.671′ N, 100° 56.665′ W. Marker is near Colby, Kansas, in Thomas County. It is on County Road 25 0.3 miles east of County Road K, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2485 Co Rd K, Colby KS 67701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great

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Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thomas County Courthouse (approx. 9.7 miles away); Thomas County Kansas Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.7 miles away); Colby City Hall (approx. 10 miles away); Oakley High School Stadium (approx. 11.2 miles away); Buffalo Bill Cultural Center (approx. 11.2 miles away); Inhabitants of the Kansas Plains (approx. 11.2 miles away); Oakley: Birthplace of the Legend (approx. 11.2 miles away); The Great Buffalo Hunt (approx. 11.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colby.

More about this marker. The original marker was stolen and the geocaching community raised funds for the current replacement. This marker is also a virtual geocache (GC88ZW7) owned by the family account "Memfis Mafia".

Also see . . . Geocaching History. (Submitted on June 1, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota.)

Additional commentary.
1.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 8, 2021

2. The Oldest Active Geocache Marker

Information from the Geocache Listing about the plaque
World's Oldest Cache Plaque Virtual Cache
GC88ZW7 ▼

World's Oldest Cache Plaque
A cache by Memfis Mafia Message this owner Hidden : 05/01/2020
Difficulty: 1.5 out of 5
Terrain: 1.5 out of 5
Size: Size: virtual (virtual)

735 Favorites

N 39° 16.675 W 100° 56.666
UTM: 14S E 332282 N 4349420

In Kansas, United States
NW NW 1300.1 mi from your home location
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Geocache Description:
WORLD'S OLDEST
CACHE PLAQUE

Welcome to a special spot in geocaching history!

You’re standing near the legendary site of Mingo — the oldest active geocache in the world, placed back in May 2000. Over time, this location has become a pilgrimage for geocachers from around the globe.

In 2020, a commemorative plaque was placed here to honor Mingo’s historic significance. Sadly, not long after, the original plaque was stolen. But geocachers never give up easily!
Together with Semmels123 and the amazing geocaching community, we rallied support,

Mingo Geocache image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 8, 2021

3. Mingo Geocache

raised funds, and made it our mission to bring the plaque back where it belongs.

After a lot of hard work, the plaque has been recommissioned and replaced — ready for all adventurers to visit, enjoy, and celebrate once again!

We hope this special place inspires you as much as it inspired us. Thank you to everyone who helped make the return of the plaque possible!

— Submitted February 3, 2026, by Memfis Mafia of Land O' Lakes, Florida.

The Oldest Active Geocache Marker now MISSING!! image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 16, 2022

4. The Oldest Active Geocache Marker now MISSING!!

Marker is Missing! image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 16, 2022

5. Marker is Missing!

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,479 times since then and 216 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2026, by Memfis Mafia of Land O' Lakes, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 4, 5. submitted on June 16, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.