Near Viola in Clackamas County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Original Stash
September 5, 2003
1. Original Stash Marker
Original Stash
First Geocache placed here.
May 3, 2000
N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800
Erected 2003.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1957.
Location. 45° 17.46′ N, 122° 24.8′ W. Marker is near Viola, Oregon, in Clackamas County. Marker can be reached from South Fellows Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Estacada OR 97023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Historic Viola School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Harold E. Babcock (approx. 3.9 miles away); Baker Cabin Historical Society (approx. 7.9 miles away); Baker Cabin Pioneer Church (approx. 7.9 miles away); Baker Site (approx. 7.9 miles away); The Baker Cabin
this page online
Regarding Original Stash. On May 3, 2000, a five-gallon bucket was placed right at this very spot by Dave Ulmer, containing a Delorme Topo USA and 2 CD Roms, a cassette recorder, a "George of the Jungle" VHS tape, a Ross Perot book, four $1 bills, a slingshot handle, and a can of beans. The coordinates were then listed on the Internet and modern-day Geocaching was born.
First to find that first geocache was Mike Teague, who took the money and left some cigarettes, a cassette tape and a pen.
The original bucket was severely damaged by an Oregon Road Crew mower and is no longer around. In September 2003, dedicated geocachers recognized the importance of that original geocache and dedicated this Original Stash Tribute Plaque on behalf of geocachers everywhere. When the plaque was being placed, the original can of
March 22, 2007
2. Original Stash Marker location
In keeping with geocaching tradition, there is still a logbook to sign at this location, as well as an ammo can for trade items.
Also see . . .
1. Original Stash Tribute Plaque Geocache. (Submitted on October 24, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. A nearby Geocache commemorating the Original Stash. (Submitted on October 24, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
3. The Original Can of Beans Travel Bug. The Original Can of Beans was placed in the "Original Stash" by Dave Ulmer (the Inventor of Geocaching and the hider of the first cache) back in May of 2000. (Submitted on October 24, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
September 6, 2003
3. Dave Ulmer dedicating the Original Stash Tribute Plaque
Dave Ulmer, the originator of Geocaching and owner of the original stash, at the placing of the Original Stash marker.
September 7, 2003
4. Original Stash Marker
Taken when the forms were removed after setting the plaque. The remains of the "original can of beans" is at the upper right corner of the plaque.
Photographed By Kevin W., June 14, 2008
5. Original Stash Marker
A more recent picture of the marker.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, April 15, 2018
6. Original Stash Marker
A current photo of the plaque.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,345 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 2, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
