Geocaching Destinations – Field of Dreams, Dyersville, Iowa
This is one of our favorite movies and since the site is only five hours away from our home, we’ve been there three times. The Field of Dreams is unlike any other place we’ve visited. It’s just like the movie said – “If you build it, people will come.” – and they do. Over 60,000 people visit here every year from all over the world and when they walk out on to the field, it’s like one big community. There’s usually a pick up game of baseball going on which you can just join in. Need a picture? Or a pitcher or a catcher? A glove or a bat? Someone will be happy to oblige. Sit in the bleachers, the same ones used in the movie. Disappear into the corn. It’s all there. There’s also a letterbox cache right on the site. You can find it on Atlasquest, the letterboxing web site, by searching in Dyersville. There are also a half dozen geocaches close by.
The ball field was built on the Lansing farm in three days during the spring of 1988. The film was shot that summer. There are information panels on the site that talk about the filming, such as how they picked that particular farm. The stories of how they got a field of tall green corn in the middle of a drought and setup the final scene with all the cars lined up are particularly interesting.
The Lansing family has owned the 193 acre farm for over a century. They are still there, working the land. The movie premiered on April 21, 1989 and visitors started arriving shortly thereafter. The Lansings realized they had something special and have preserved the site as it was in the movie. Admission is free although donations are appreciated. The souvenir stand is manned by volunteers, some of whom have been there for 20 years.
Ironically, the Lansings don’t make much money from souvenir sales. They have to pay royalties to Universal Studios for the right to market “Field of Dreams.” There is no commercialization and no organized activities are permitted. It has retained its charm as a throwback to a simpler time and place.
Sadly, the farm was recently put up for sale. The asking price is $5.4 million dollars. This place is an American treasure. Let’s hope some shyster doesn’t take over and turn it into a circus.
All in all, this area makes for a great geocaching destination.
Dan Lawson has more information about this topic and many others (including great pictures) on his website at http://www.offthebeatenpath.ws. Comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed and can be submitted through site links to his email and guest book.
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