✅ SOLVED A couple of things I'm curious about

[perdidogringo]

I went to a new spot yesterday in suburban Chicago and found 5 wheaties (not pictured) but unfortunately, no silver this time. However, I uncovered a large piece of metal that i am wondering about (maybe an old plow? see first few photos) and also, what looks like an old telephone pole (is that what it is? Not sure how old). I would appreciate any feedback from forum. Thank you!

 

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[Mackaydon]

Bottom attachment to the pole reminds me of an old tire wheel hub.
Don in SoCal

 

[robertk]

Bottom attachment to the pole reminds me of an old tire wheel hub.
Don in SoCal

That’s exactly what it looks like. Complete with lugs and what looks like a brake drum.

I don’t know what the other piece is, but it doesn’t really look like a plow to me.

 

[perdidogringo]

Bottom attachment to the pole reminds me of an old tire wheel hub.
Don in SoCal

Any idea why it would be attached to a pole?

 

[ncsuwolf]

Any idea why it would be attached to a pole?

My best guess it involved a gambrel and pulling up something to skin/work on. Rope over top pulled wrapped around drum at the bottom (with a handle). No different than a lot of folks who use a boat winch for same purpose.

The long piece of flat bar resembles a homemade gambrel (at least one end). Was the thicker end broken?

 

[perdidogringo]

My best guess it involved a gambrel and pulling up something to skin/work on. Rope over top pulled wrapped around drum at the bottom (with a handle). No different than a lot of folks who use a boat winch for same purpose.

The long piece of flat bar resembles a homemade gambrel (at least one end). Was the thicker end broken?

No, the thicker end at the bottom of the photo didn't appear to be broken.

 

[Mackaydon]

Base of pole is encased in cement; for additional stabilization during the lifting process?
Don in SoCal

 

[cudamark]

I suspect there was a matching wheel attached to the bottom hub and brake drum assembly and that it was taken by someone at some point. Probably didn't want to shinny up that pole to take the other wheel. Both probably rotated on a spindle at some point as the bottom one looks to still have bearings in it....just missing the grease cap. My guess would be 1950's for those items.

 

[Sandog]

Any idea why it would be attached to a pole?

Hoist on the pole. The bar looks like a lever of some kind, like a brake lever. Maybe it's used in the hoist some how. The end looks like it could be cut down to make a handle.

 

[perdidogringo]

Returned to the same area again today and found a tree with 2 wheels attached, although it is knocked down in a creek.

 

[Blackfoot58]

The bar reminds me of a modified leaf spring.
I’d guess a wheel and tire were mounted to the hub on the pole.
It probably facilitated moving the pole to its location behind a truck or tractor. Didn’t get removed because there was no value to it.

 

[The Rebel]

Old ski lift/rope tow ??

 

[perdidogringo]

Old ski lift/rope tow ??

Not much skiing in suburban Chicago unless you count cross country skiing.

 

[Tpmetal]

Have seen similar setups several times on old ski hills, is it on a hill by chance?

 

[perdidogringo]

UPDATE: The Rebel and TPMetal nailed it! After some research, I just came across some old info. to confirm this area used to be ski resort! I can't believe it as the hills are very slight in this area, although I am not a skier so maybe they don't need to be very high. Who would have every thought to put a ski resort in the south suburbs of Chicago?

 

[Blackfoot58]

Good research

 

[Sandog]

I would guess that particular part of suburban Chicago wasn't so suburban.

 

[perdidogringo]

I would guess that particular part of suburban Chicago wasn't so suburban.

Do you mean that when the ski resort was in operation (the 1960s), that it was considered distant from Chicago? If so, yes, I would agree. Although now easily considered a Chicago suburb and commuting town, back then it would have been considered "the boonies."

By the way, does anyone know how to change the label to this thread from "Unidentified" to "Identified." Can't seem to do it like I have in the past.

 

[Gare]

What about the front and rear axle frame of Fred Flintstones mobile LOL

 

[Gare]

UPDATE: The Rebel and TPMetal nailed it! After some research, I just came across some old info. to confirm this area used to be ski resort! I can't believe it as the hills are very slight in this area, although I am not a skier so maybe they don't need to be very high. Who would have every thought to put a ski resort in the south suburbs of Chicago?
View attachment 2194503

You are probably pretty close on the ski part
I was just making a joke on the Fred Flintstone part