Ghost Flower Letterbox LbNA #5416 (ARCHIVED)

Adopted 6/26/15


Ghost Flower Letterbox

A pleasant excursion along the Coventry Bike Trail, finding this Letterbox allows access to those on bikes, roller-blades, strollers or just plain feet. Just the place to stretch out the legs and have the opportunity to enjoy an Ice Cream Cone along the way. During late summer, this section of the Greenway is loaded with Indian Pipes (i.e. Ghost Flowers), an unusual but striking native plant.

The Ghost Flower Letterbox Legend

The ghost of Silas Tucker still haunts the old Washington Secondary line. Silas was a conductor on the proud trains of the rail line, built in 1840 to connect Providence with New York.
One spring day in 1843, his sweetheart, Esmerelda, stepped aboard the train, on her way to visit her dear aunt in Hartford CT. As Silas took her ticket, Esmerelda peeked coyly from under her straw hat.

Silas promised her a bouquet of the wildflowers that grew along the track. He knew the train slowed as it neared the old Causeway so with Esmerelda close at his side, Silas swung out between the cars to snatch some of the pale white flowers that grew along the rail side. Just then the train lurched as it hit a small obstacle at the Ayoho crossing. The train clung to the tracks but Silas and Esmerelda were cast into the waters on either side. All that remains to mark their passage are the old stone stairs, one on either side of the path. Perhaps one day, Silas and Esmerelda, will climb their stairs and come back to the Railway. Perhaps, Silas will pick a pale, White Ghost Flower to present to his lady.
Until then, if you listen carefully when the Ghost Flowers are in bloom, maybe you can hear the lonely call of the train whistle and maybe, just maybe hear the cry of the lovers as they fell.



To Start Your Search

Parking is available at Station Street and at the Greenway Lot just off route 117.

To Follow the Trail of the Legend

It was at the Station Street stop that Silas first was taken by the modest, young Esmerelda. Her deep green eyes captured his heart and refused to let it go even as the train began it’s westward journey.
By the time they had reached the 3mile post, Silas was determined to share his fate with Esmerelda. Not even the view to his right of a field that would become a center for learning and government could distract him from her emerald eyes. Silas’s heart was moved by the vision. Who could have known that a shelter for unwanted animals would someday be a part of it.
Esmerelda stepped up behind Silas. Silently she shared his vision of the future. Silas turned and looked deep into her eyes. There was an understanding in those eyes, an appreciation of beauty that needed a response.
The train was close on the Narrows when Silas leaned out to capture a rare flower for his love. Who could have foretold that a branch across the Ayoho Trail would have caused Silas to be thrown into the water? Who could have known that in reaching for him, Esmerelda would lose her footing and plunge into the water on the other side.
Friends and family searched long for Silas and Esmerelda. Long enough to make granite stairs to the ponds where they were lost.

(Due to the updates made along the path, from here on, slight changes were made to the original Letterbox clues and a new box was hidden.)

By the time the train had stopped, just before it had reached the 3.5 mile marker, the Engineer and Crew were badly shaken at the tragic end of Silas and Esmerelda. They took solace at the steps made of wooden poles and a memorial cairn was placed by a cluster of white birch trees observing all of the traditional beliefs so that the story could be told and could encompass all that had lead up to it.


We loved the story and adopted this box. Thanks to the original owners for their creativity.


Please replace the Letterbox carefully as this is a well traveled path.