The Legacy of Byron Preiss’s Treasure Hunt Lives On

In 1982, Byron Preiss embarked on an adventure that would captivate treasure hunters for decades. He buried 12 treasure boxes, known as casques, in 12 cities across North America and shared the clues to their locations within the pages of his puzzle book, The Secret. Each casque found could be exchanged with Preiss for a precious gem. Despite Preiss’s death in 2005, the hunt for these treasures continues.

As of 2024, only three of the twelve casques have been unearthed. The first discovery occurred in 1983 in Chicago’s Grant Park, followed by a find in Cleveland’s Greek Garden in 2004. The latest treasure was located in 2019 at Puopolo Field in Boston. This leaves nine casques still hidden, waiting to be discovered in cities including San Francisco, Charleston, Roanoke Island, St. Augustine, New Orleans, Houston, Montreal, Milwaukee, and New York.

The treasure hunt has proven both challenging and thrilling. In Chicago, a group of 19-year-olds managed to locate a casque after meticulously following Preiss’s clues and enduring numerous failed attempts. They reached out to Preiss, who provided a photo hinting at the treasure’s location, leading to their eventual success.

However, with Preiss’s passing, treasure hunters no longer have the luxury of additional clues from the author himself. Some fear that urban development may have destroyed or rendered several of the remaining treasures inaccessible. In Milwaukee, experienced hunters suspect a casque once buried beneath a tree may now lie beneath concrete.

Despite these challenges, the spirit of the hunt remains alive. The Preiss family upholds Byron’s legacy, ready to reward those who are persistent and fortunate enough to discover the hidden gems. The search for the nine undiscovered casques is more than a quest for treasure—it’s a tribute to the enduring allure of mystery, the joy of exploration, and the timeless bond between an author and his audience.