The Quest for a Large Cent, Part 1

[Mirage]

Don did some research last year and came across a “ghost town”. It was a settlement that started in the 1830s as a result of digging a feeder canal to the Ohio Erie Canal.
Somehow Don got in contact with a guy who knew where the place was and took Don to the spot. Now this place is in a remote spot and the only way without going onto PRIVATE PROPERTY – VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED is a long strenuous hike through all kinds of terrain. A picture Don took last October.

We originally were going to get a whole bunch of us together(6) for this hunt but only Don and I could make it. Nate was going to go but got an offer from his girlfriend to see the Browns play. Imagine that – football and women over metal detecting!

We went up and down many hills, over streams, through nettles, prickers, weeds taller than me, etc. We took a wrong turn and overshot the place. This made what should have been a 1.5 hr to 2 hr hike into a 3.5 hour hike! Left the car at 9:30 am. Didn’t find the place until 1 pm. By then we were pretty tired.

After we recouped and hunted we found some nice relics but no coins.

It was nice in that there was no modern trash. There were only two or three beer cans and a few aluminum arrows. Weed growth was a little of a factor. Might be worth a trip in the spring when the weeds are low. There is still a lot of area we did not detect.

 

[CarolinaDigs]

Really a great post ! and the pictures are wonderful The old relics are just a clue as to what really is hidden beneath the soil

 

[romeo-1]

That type of effort will pay off eventually. Nice crotal bell btw!

 

[Baggins]

Looks like a great adventure, and awesome finds to boot!!

 

[weasel606]

wife and i did a hike like that last year , we were told about aa very old house out in the woods ! walked for about 5 hours in and out and never did find that place, my wife is tougher then i thought she did great on the hike, sure looks like a great spot from the pics

 

[Michiganne]

Great story and great pictures. Looks like a sweet place to hunt despite the hiking. Love the bell. WTG

 

[Johnny Cache Hunter]

Wow Bob,

Those are the kind of pictures MD'ers drool over.
I honestly don't know if I could have handled three hours just to get to the site but from the looks of the pictures I would have at least died trying.

Glad to hear that you've managed to determine an easier route for any return trips.
Are there any other cellar holes / building foundations / remains visible other than the one in your picture?

Just based on the number of neat relics you found, one would have to think that there must be some coins in that general area. Do you think there is a chance that this site has been detected before? From the remoteness of it's location, that seems unlikely, but then again you hauled your butt out there.

I'm curious, if you know, how did the guy who originally showed the site to Don know about this location? Was he a hunter who stumbled upon it?

Well, I loved your pictures, really loved the story and your relics are great!

Congratulations,

Johnny Cache Hunter

 

[Rob66]

Nice finds... and stomping ground, I'm sure you will find it soon....The bottle is awesome I bet there's no seam lines on it.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Bob, awesome adventure and surely a great time in spite of taking a wrong turn. Nice looking and interesting relics! That old bottle is real nice. Good luck getting back there. HH, Mike

 

[Mirage]

Bob,
Great post and pictures my man. Beautiful spot. Some very nice looking relics you found.
What is that item in the bottom left that looks like a fishing reel?
You may want to MD that stream for coins next time. I heard Kirk threw some wheats into a stream somewhere.
Congrats to you guys,
MM
P.S. Is that a bear in a cave behind you?

I am clueless as to what the fishing reel looking thing is. It is totally enclosed in the back.

You know... I was looking for those wheats...

Bear? No, but Don told me that someone seriously claims to have heard a bigfoot scream.

 

[Mirage]

Ken - How far are you willing to drive for a day hunt? This place might have been a little far to go.

Are there any other cellar holes / building foundations / remains visible other than the one in your picture?

Johnny Cache Hunter

Yes, as we were leaving(a different way than we came) we came accross another "structure". We were too tired and we had all our gear packed up so we just walked on by. There was also a couple other remains of what could have been houses.

Just based on the number of neat relics you found, one would have to think that there must be some coins in that general area. Do you think there is a chance that this site has been detected before? From the remoteness of it's location, that seems unlikely, but then again you hauled your butt out there.

I'm curious, if you know, how did the guy who originally showed the site to Don know about this location? Was he a hunter who stumbled upon it?

I would say the place has not been detected before. Don found about 4 or 5 buckles, a couple intact bottles(different than mine), ax heads, etc.

Not sure how the other guy knew about it but we have gotten leads on other places from hunters. This place would be a great place to hunt - we saw lots of deer.

Bob

 

[Nickel_Buff1935]

That bell is wonderful!

I'd hike 3.5 hours to find that alone

Is the clapper still in there

Boy, I can hardly wait to dig one myself!

HH

Nickel_B

 

[dgaughan]

well if you are hunting with don i would think you have an excellent chance for a lc besides that spot looks perfect good luck and hh

 

[Baldingboy]

OK...I don't want to scare anyone, but the #@*$ is that in the background of your stream picture Bob!




I have enlarged it a little. Were you crossing the stream here Bob? If this is not you, then whO THE H*LL IS THAT!!!

 

[Dimeman]

Looks like a sweet spot even if you don't find coins you should find some more relics. But hopeing there ARE some nice old coins in the area....would make the trip sooo much more fun!!!!

 

[mastereagle22]

OK...I don't want to scare anyone, but the #@*$ is that in the background of your stream picture Bob!





I have enlarged it a little. Were you crossing the stream here Bob? If this is not you, then whO THE H*LL IS THAT!!!

Looks kinda like my ex-wife.

This looks like a sweet spot. Great finds. Love the bottle and the Bell is super cool!

 

[Michigan Badger]

Mighty fine photos and finds! I see you also found some crosscut blades. A while back I dug 3 complete 6 foot blades at one site.

I see you stay with the SE. Haven't tried it yet but it's on my list. It's funny how it's either loved or hated.

Hope you find a LC.

Badger

 

[Mirage]

OK...I don't want to scare anyone, but the #@*$ is that in the background of your stream picture Bob!

I have enlarged it a little. Were you crossing the stream here Bob? If this is not you, then whO THE H*LL IS THAT!!!

LOL. That is a sweet picture but it might give Don the willies!

 

[Goldiver]

Looks like a fun adventure, nice relics and I like that bottle! There has to be some largies in there somewhere....good luck!

 

[shootist]

Man you guys are the definiton of harcore hunters,looks like a good spot to camp for a night and really hunt the area good. The lack of modern trash makes the hunting a lot more fun,knowing that every single thing you dig up will have been laying there for 100 years or more. I really like that bottle does it have a pontil mark on the bottom?sort of an indentation in the glass that may be rough,that bottle could be a real treasure. There are ways the inside of the bottle can be cleaned or tumbled that make them look good as new,if you werent aware. So glad to finally hear about some cool weather moving in its really been a hot summer and Im sure many of us are looking forward to some fall weather. Hope you find your large cent,my hunting buddy dug one up really close to our neighborhood. The old National Road runs right through the middle of Indy and we live pretty close to it he found it at a demo. HH...Shoot

 

[Merf]

Neat finds and good pics.
That looks like an excellent spot to find a LC. Best luck.