Deerhunter24
Hero Member
Hey all,
A few years back, when I first started hunting old fields...I got permission to an old school site.
This school was shown a map from the 1860's, but not present on an 1890's map. So i figured that one got shut down pretty quick...nobody should know about it unless they did research too.
I went out there a few times, but lots of iron in the ground. I'd estimate that I maybe had 4 hours into the place and came up with a button that dated from between 1834-1843 and an 1863 Civil War Token from a Bar in Detroit...Yankee Smith Saloon if memory serves me right.
Anyway, I gave up on the place pretty quick and never returned, but remembered that this farmer owned a decent amount of land and there were a few old home sites on different properties.
In doing research on Sunday, I realized there was a house in this same end of the field, but at the other end. The field is 157 acres.
Another chunk of property he owns is 235 acres which is his home is on. His home was listed with 2 others on those pieces of property (3 different 80 acre parcels) on an 1870's map. His house is all that's still standing.
So, 2 different properties, 4 sites to be able to search it.
Anyway, I stopped by and asked him I could go this year before he planted it.
He gave me the go ahead, but assured me that I was wasting my time.
He said, "You can go all you want, but you ain't gonna find nothing. You're wasting my time if you ask me, those fields been plowed over and over for years and you won't find nothing."
He also added..."But if you do...make sure you stop by and show me."
So after talking to him, I instantly got the bug back.
I headed out last night and detected the field that the schoolhouse in it. But instead of detecting by the school...I detected by where it showed a house on an 1860's map. It was about 1/3 snow covered still in the area where I was GUESSING the house stood. I saw the usual telltale signs of orange bricks, some shard of porcelain, and broken glass. Not much, but a few.
First thing I found was what appears to be an old musket ball. But it looks small like maybe a .36 caliber. Its lead, round, and kind of crudely shaped.
My third find was my one and only coin. Again, pretty muddy and I was going slow. I expect more finds once the field has less water on it.
The coin was a Canadian Large Cent dated 1859. I was pretty pumped. Of course, didn't find another coin, but I'll take it as my first find of the year.
I also found a pretty cool button. On the back it says Rich Gold Color. Preliminary research suggests it dates to the 1830's-1840's.
I spent 2 hours there exactly...6-8pm...And I had fun, which I guess is the most important thing.
And...its nice to have the next 6 weeks on almost 400 acres of land that is probably untouched for the most part.
Keep in mind...all of these houses were gone by the 1920's so any coins found, although few and far between, should be old.
DH24
A few years back, when I first started hunting old fields...I got permission to an old school site.
This school was shown a map from the 1860's, but not present on an 1890's map. So i figured that one got shut down pretty quick...nobody should know about it unless they did research too.
I went out there a few times, but lots of iron in the ground. I'd estimate that I maybe had 4 hours into the place and came up with a button that dated from between 1834-1843 and an 1863 Civil War Token from a Bar in Detroit...Yankee Smith Saloon if memory serves me right.
Anyway, I gave up on the place pretty quick and never returned, but remembered that this farmer owned a decent amount of land and there were a few old home sites on different properties.
In doing research on Sunday, I realized there was a house in this same end of the field, but at the other end. The field is 157 acres.
Another chunk of property he owns is 235 acres which is his home is on. His home was listed with 2 others on those pieces of property (3 different 80 acre parcels) on an 1870's map. His house is all that's still standing.
So, 2 different properties, 4 sites to be able to search it.
Anyway, I stopped by and asked him I could go this year before he planted it.
He gave me the go ahead, but assured me that I was wasting my time.
He said, "You can go all you want, but you ain't gonna find nothing. You're wasting my time if you ask me, those fields been plowed over and over for years and you won't find nothing."
He also added..."But if you do...make sure you stop by and show me."
So after talking to him, I instantly got the bug back.
I headed out last night and detected the field that the schoolhouse in it. But instead of detecting by the school...I detected by where it showed a house on an 1860's map. It was about 1/3 snow covered still in the area where I was GUESSING the house stood. I saw the usual telltale signs of orange bricks, some shard of porcelain, and broken glass. Not much, but a few.
First thing I found was what appears to be an old musket ball. But it looks small like maybe a .36 caliber. Its lead, round, and kind of crudely shaped.
My third find was my one and only coin. Again, pretty muddy and I was going slow. I expect more finds once the field has less water on it.
The coin was a Canadian Large Cent dated 1859. I was pretty pumped. Of course, didn't find another coin, but I'll take it as my first find of the year.
I also found a pretty cool button. On the back it says Rich Gold Color. Preliminary research suggests it dates to the 1830's-1840's.
I spent 2 hours there exactly...6-8pm...And I had fun, which I guess is the most important thing.
And...its nice to have the next 6 weeks on almost 400 acres of land that is probably untouched for the most part.
Keep in mind...all of these houses were gone by the 1920's so any coins found, although few and far between, should be old.
DH24
Sure are a pretty coin. I'd be gridding that place thoroughly. Good luck on future hunts at all the sites. 
