Help in Search....

[Smoogle]

Ok, I am a 3 week Noob - but getting out most days, starting to learn my machine etc. I bought it for beach shooting ( and I've been thrilled with finds and performance for the $ spent), but Tnet has given me other ideas.
In short...I'm onto an old settlement which is most likely cow pasture or crown land now where a town once thrived for 3 short years in the late 1800's. The pioneering "town" serviced the building of the first Railroad here...it had 3 Pubs (watering holes), a school, general store etc. It died as soon as the rail line was finished in this area.
I have rough Lat and Long because I've just searched State records and found the only record to be of the town cattle dip ( chemical tick wash in form of long man made trench cattle were walked through and bathed for pests.) and have narrowed my locations down according to the clues (topography etc). I need help now as I have a few issues:
- What if my site is on private land - I'm an honest person and well...how to approach this with the landowner.
- I wanted to approach some very "local" historians but am afraid the mere mention of Md'ing or Treasure hunting will put them off....
- I'm in it for Treasure but if I find historically significant relics I'm well prepared and willing to give them up ...but being optimistic here...should a generic British coin or sovereign be handed in - I'd rather keep it ?
- The train line is the key ... has anyone experience in Md'ing the track sidings etc.
Any suggestions to help organise my search are most welcome, ....I'll post all finds - win or lose.

 

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[Smoogle]

No help....I'll go it alone and dig a fortune, already addicted to metal - and so is the wife .....any input on letter to landowners appreciated.

 

[Dwight S]

OK... Your lost town is most likely along the rail line it was building. So, that should help some. You say you have some basic coordinates, that's good. Look for creeks or streams along the rail line in the general location you have, the town will need water. Even you Ausies can't survive on beer & whisky alone.

As far as approaching land owners, honesty is the best policy. Just tell them that you've done some research on the small town and that you'd like to go out and take a look and do some metal detecting to see if you can uncover anything. Let them know that you'll take care to recover all holes, you'll remove any trash, found or taken in (food wrappers, bottles, etc.). And that you'll also show the owner your finds. Now, if you find any real valuables, I'd probably not show those.

Be aware that you'll probably find lots of nails and other junk. You'll need to dig that if you really want to find any valuables. The junk will hide the good.

 

[lucky1777]

First off, welcome to the hobby. I seem to find the most information from some of the old timers from the area. I spend many hours talking to the seniors and asking questions. You will be amazed how some of these people open up and give you information. I have even taken a couple with me on a hunt. He enjoyed being out in the woods and showing me things that he was told by his grandpa. This has led to many new and exciting hunting spots. I have hunted along what was once a train track and depot. I found everything from small pieces of metal and lead, to the large spikes and plates. Be prepared for some loud buzzes in your ears. It sounds like you are on the right track so good luck and post some pics of your finds.

 

[Frankn]

First off, don't use the words (TREASURE HUNTING). Just say you have this hobby of metal detecting which is good exercise. If he does mention treasure, Just say you don't expect to find any but you would be willing to split it 50/50 with him if some showed up. He might even be able to show you some remains of the town on his land.
I have found along RR tracks many spikes, some heavy iron breakshoes, Bronze plates that appeared to be some sort of clutch plate and thin strips of ragged iron about 1/4" wide by app. 12" long that appeared to be worn off the track or wheel of the train. At one point I found old coins spread out app. 50' along the track. Haven't figured that one out yet. Enjoy, Frank

 

[NOLA_Ken]

First of all welcome to t-net.

You said this town was only in operation for 3 years, so be prepared for the reality that you might not find much in the way of "treasure". What you will find is a lot of iron relics, probably a lot of bottles and old tin cans, and maybe a few interesting bits. Having said that, don't be discouraged, because there's always a chance for something really good to be found. As far as obtaining permission, you'll have to use your judgement when you contact the land owner, they're all different.

 

[Smoogle]

All good thanks...
I was out driving today after researching via google earth, more old maps online and rail records. Yes I guess 3 years ownly allows limited losses and therefore finds, what really interests me is that any coins would be pre Australian currency as that only started developing circulating in 1910 / 11. It seems there are currently 3 properties, a nature reserve and a sewage traetment works that may lie on the prize - I still have not narrowed down the sites of the 3 pubs and the school etc.
I would almost love a good relic more than anything else - when I'm on the beach I'm in it for dough - but already this site is special to me...I just want to locate it - find some evidence of it...funny thing is I already have a whole string of railway related sites ...I checked a couple today and they are all accessible as the line closed here 5 years ago and now it seems a free for all ..e.g only 1.5 km up the line where I live a 500m railway tunnel was constructed in the late 1800's - it took years - there must be camp sites for a whole army of workers along the line? ...

 

[NOLA_Ken]

There should definitely be a camp associated with the tunnel. Probably some good relics there as well.

 

[Smoogle]

Thanks for the help all. I found the site - quite easily in the end - the old dip had been flattened by the new motorway and I found references to the old dip in the site management pdf of the developer via google. I also found a historical spiel on a digital newspaper - had a picture of the butchers shop and gave location - I went there and is now a roundabout for traffic - there is some vacant land adjacent - but I think development has got in the way of this one. There are new houses, smaller lots etcI originally had the town down the line a little towards the river and nature reserve- on a bright note I found old "ferry shots" before traffic bridges and the shore / river beaches look relatively the same - may be worth a look when I get a water machine. The whole process has been a learning curve anyway.
(+ Only $2-35 in change and little else on quick beach hunt / dog walk today) :P