The Mistake LbNA #65873
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Add Location| Owner: | wood thrush  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Sep 22, 2013 |
| Location: | |
| City: | ??? |
| County: | Howard |
| State: | Maryland |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | ??? |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Feb 2, 2014 |
| Status: | FFF |
| Last edited: | Sep 22, 2013 |
About the location
Carrolls, Dorseys, Ridgelys, Howards... The footprints of the founding families of Maryland can still be found around the state, if you know where to look. This letterbox is in one such historic location, in western Howard County.
The location you are looking for was originally named “The Mistake” by Daniel Carroll, who “patented” the land in 1726. The name was changed to the one by which it is known today by George and Prudence Howard, who received it as a wedding present in 1811.
The once-rural location today is boxed in by shopping center, a golf course, and lots of new homes. It is used for wedding receptions and other events. But if you stroll its grounds and get out of sight of these distractions, you can imagine what it might have been like to be a wealthy owner of vast tracts of land in colonial America.
Do not attempt this letterbox on a Saturday. On most Saturdays the site is jumping all day long with caterers and wedding guests. There is no way to be stealthy, unless you decide to wear formal attire to box----and even that won’t help you if someone in a wedding party realizes you are not with their group. Plus, the parking area is fairly small and there may not be an open space for you. Sometimes the location is used on weekdays for business events. We advise that if you see a number of cars in the lot, just turn around and come back another time. Your best bet will be on a Sunday; weekdays are a crap shoot, and Saturdays are right out.
To the letterbox
Park in the lot and admire the grounds. There are several buildings of interest here, all historic. Read the Maryland historic marker, which is flanked by two gravestones; one is John Eager Howard’s and one is unmarked.
When you are ready, look for utility pole 552595 to the left of the markers. Starting at this pole, follow the short mown-grass path 40 steps to a small-ish black walnut Y tree on the right. The Mistake is on the left hand side of this tree at the base. Please recover with leaf detritus when you’re finished.
Carrolls, Dorseys, Ridgelys, Howards... The footprints of the founding families of Maryland can still be found around the state, if you know where to look. This letterbox is in one such historic location, in western Howard County.
The location you are looking for was originally named “The Mistake” by Daniel Carroll, who “patented” the land in 1726. The name was changed to the one by which it is known today by George and Prudence Howard, who received it as a wedding present in 1811.
The once-rural location today is boxed in by shopping center, a golf course, and lots of new homes. It is used for wedding receptions and other events. But if you stroll its grounds and get out of sight of these distractions, you can imagine what it might have been like to be a wealthy owner of vast tracts of land in colonial America.
Do not attempt this letterbox on a Saturday. On most Saturdays the site is jumping all day long with caterers and wedding guests. There is no way to be stealthy, unless you decide to wear formal attire to box----and even that won’t help you if someone in a wedding party realizes you are not with their group. Plus, the parking area is fairly small and there may not be an open space for you. Sometimes the location is used on weekdays for business events. We advise that if you see a number of cars in the lot, just turn around and come back another time. Your best bet will be on a Sunday; weekdays are a crap shoot, and Saturdays are right out.
To the letterbox
Park in the lot and admire the grounds. There are several buildings of interest here, all historic. Read the Maryland historic marker, which is flanked by two gravestones; one is John Eager Howard’s and one is unmarked.
When you are ready, look for utility pole 552595 to the left of the markers. Starting at this pole, follow the short mown-grass path 40 steps to a small-ish black walnut Y tree on the right. The Mistake is on the left hand side of this tree at the base. Please recover with leaf detritus when you’re finished.