Puzzled on 1860s historic site

[Bum Luck]

After a serious amount of research, I finally obtained permission to hunt an old recreational cabin site that was frequented in the 1920s, but that dates back to the 1860s as a residence. There's a small cellar hole.

I got to the site (not an easy ordeal) and it is overgrown with woody shrubs and tree falls. I spent maybe 4 hours there, and came up with junk stove parts, a few pop cans, a brass lamp top, and other misc junk, but not a single coin.

The site was easier to get to in the 60s, and so I'm wondering if it had been worked over 'in the old days'.

It's not that I ended up cut and scratched up and exhausted, but I sincerely want to learn from those of you who have found similar results.

What do you guys and gals think?

 

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[onfire]

How were the Ticks? anyway did you find the privy? or the path to it? Think about the technology of the (old days) compared to today, the junk you picked up should have been cleaned out. What part of Wis you from?

 

[Bum Luck]

The ticks are tough this year. I found my 3rd deer tick, this one embedded in me; so I'm on Doxycycline. Usually don't see 3 a year. Dope up if you go out.

Maybe the small 'cellar hole' was the privy. No detects, but it was only 3' deep so it was probably washed in. Some of the junk stuff may have just been discarded again. Not a lot of nails, come to think of it. Don't know what happened to the cottage, maybe moved. I'm from NW of Madison.

 

[Bum Luck]

I worked the path from the cellar hole (privy) to the cabin, and there was a 'road' in the front of it. Nada, just junk.

 

[DCMatt]

Bum,

I've been hunting in Virginia for about 6 or 7 years now. What I've discovered is that most guys before me were at least as smart as me. That means if I can think of and/or find what I think is a good place, somebody probably thought of it before me.

That said, the fact that you dug trash is a good sign. Back in the early days of MDing most machines were the "beep and dig" variety. I've hunted places like the Fredericksburg battlefield (now private land and yes I had permission). Guys have been hunting that place for 40+ years. For the most part, the ground is quiet - no metal at all.

Your spot seems to be an out-of-way place and if it took you that long to clear the area, I doubt it has been cherry picked. As onfire says, now you've cleaned out some of the junk. Go back and hit it again. Look for large, mature trees and hunt under them. You know the drill. Slow down and enjoy the hunt.

Good luck,

DCMatt

 

[Bum Luck]

Thanks Matt, for the reply and help. I hope this helps others as well.

My best site ever was a tiny old playground from the 1920-40s near a small resort store. Access was good, remains of rusted toy equipment (swing set etc) evident, a dozen houses around so that it was never a secret, and it was obviously never worked at all.

This one had no obvious sign of existence (remember I'm a surveyor and am trained to 'see' old signs) other than an old 'road' in front of it, and a privy hole. It's hard to get to and is on private property that I wouldn't want to get caught on without permission.

But, all it takes is one guy (like me in the playground example) to work it out. And that could have been just a chance conversation, like we all run into from time to time.

Thanks for the advice, and I will go back, maybe digging everything with my Infinium. At least I'll get smarter - Ha!

 

[TerryC]

Very possible it was worked over in the old days. More likely, the people held on to thier coins real tight. Try clearing the brush and hit the most impossible spots around the place. Work hard, work often, find much! TTC

 

[TerryC]

Also, look for plant life not natural to the area (garden). Try where the tree in the front yard would have been, even if there never was one! Thanks for the PMs my friend. TTC