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Labyrinth LbNA #18972

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 28, 2005
Location:
City:Southlake
County:Tarrant
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Planted by:Viewfinder
Found by: Mom of Two
Last found:Jun 22, 2014
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Oct 28, 2005
Labyrinth – the Maze
Planted by Viewfinder.
Difficulty: easy – but walking the labyrinth can take some time if you do so!

A Labyrinth is an intricate structure or enclosure containing a series of winding passages difficult to follow without losing one’s way; a maze. In Greek mythology, King Daedelus built a Labyrinth to house the Minotaur; in Medieval times, labyrinths were designed as meditative gardens. Walking a labyrinth was believed to help slow the heart rate, focus the mind, and allow contemplation. Such a labyrinth exists in Southlake, on a hilltop above a historic, quiet cemetery next to the White Chapel United Methodist Church, near a very busy intersection. This is one of the earliest Methodist churches in the vicinity, dating back to 1874. The labyrinth here was conceived as an Eagle Scout project and built with the cooperative labor of scouts, church and community members, and is available to anyone who chooses to pull off the busy highway and walk the labyrinth, or just sit quietly and contemplate. The adjacent cemetery is the final resting place for many pioneer settlers of this area, including S. B. Austin, who gave the land for the church and cemetery which became known as White’s Chapel after the name of its first pastor, Reverend White. Near the rear of the church property you can find the original old chapel building and a historic marker (this was still near the cemetery when the letterbox was first planted, but subsequent construction has caused it to be moved).

To find the Labyrinth, go south on White Chapel Road from Hwy 114 to the intersection of Southlake Blvd (FM 1709). Just south of this intersection, turn left into the parking lot of White’s Chapel Church. Park near the cemetery. Read the historic marker. After reading the historic marker, walk the short distance uphill (outside the cemetery fence) to the sign indicating the Labyrinth and read the sign. Step into the clearing beyond the sign and see the labyrinth; walk it if you choose. Be prepared to take a little time – it’s much more complicated than you might think, but the time will be well-spent. Then return along the cemetery fence downhill to the end of the fence and enter the cemetery. You’ll immediately notice two very large, old oak trees. Turn right inside the cemetery and walk toward the direction of the labyrinth, toward the SE corner of the cemetery and look for a large monument that says AUSTIN, near which is a bench and a concrete dog holding a basket of flowers. Facing this tombstone, look to your left at the large cedar tree. From the tree, look around to find Mike M. Wisrock (you may have to walk around some nearby crape myrtle clumps to find this. If you find a prominent marker for HOWARD, look back toward the labyrinth to find Wisrock). Tucked into the crape myrtle cluster behind Mike M. Wisrock, buried in leaf debris and protected by a small rock, you will find the labyrinth letterbox.

Exercise stealth in finding and replacing this letterbox. If children are in the playground across from the cemetery, be careful not to be observed. Please reseal the bags well and rehide the box carefully! Please be very, very careful to replace this box so that it is not visible as this cemetery is frequently visited and well-kept.

Email me at blhjrh@aol.com to let me know the status of this box. Thanks, and happy letterboxing!


NOTE: a garden labyrinth/maze with a fun fountain is now located in Bicentenniel Park, north of the White Chapel-Southlake Blvd intersection (entrance on White Chapel just past Tom Thumb) - a great place for kids and families to explore! Watch for Labyrinth II letterbox to be located here soon.