Updated 8/29 - Ghost town first-time hunt

[Staci (Fargo ND)]

Found this town last year but wasn't able to hunt...finally got out there with my dad yesterday! The town was once quite large, and was founded in the late 1880's in antipation of the railroad coming through. I could not find any population numbers past the early 1900's, but at that time there were more than 160 residents.

The city was deserted at some point when the rr didn't come, and was re-inhabited in the 50's or 60's (my guess based on the two "newer" houses). The only buildings left standing are two houses built later, and many stone foundations.

This is the town, I'll post pics of the finds in a few minutes. It was a little tough hunting with all the brush

 

[Staci (Fargo ND)]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

A nice field I found on the way

 

[The.Boomer]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Awsome site Staci, you could hunt that area for years and never clean it out. Can't wait to see your finds. I hope you know to re-check your areas of recovery, since your removing a target, you might be eliminating a masking item with better stuff around it.

 

[packfan_1982]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Wow looks like a great place to hunt. My brother works on natrual gas rigs in north dakota and likes to hunt old abandonded farm houses near the rigs.

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

I would definitely get into those fields; they could hold some Seated Liberty coins and maybe a Braided Hair coppa or two.

Kyle

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Keep at it and the coppas will flow in!

Kirk

 

[acevillav]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Mucho cool place to hunt, could be some bottles there or other bonus loot . Can't wait to see what turns up. keep us posted

Acevillav

 

[Staci (Fargo ND)]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

I do try to check the holes again. What we need to do is go in spring after the ground is thawed but none of the green is growing quite yet. The brush is really hard to move around and there were many MANY targets to dig.

Ok, here are the finds:

1. My second coin over a hundred years old! My dad actually found it but let me keep it It's a 1901 V nickel in good shape but still very dirty. I have in in olive oil now.

2. A Hubley "Hub" capgun, with the barrel broken off. Also an extra piece for another play gun.

3. Some iron pieces. A nail, a wierd rock I just found in my hole that has no metal content, what looks like a window latch, and some ring thing...maybe a pin for something?

4. Maybe a button, a .22 shell, a piece of aluminum, an aluminum washer/ring thing, a barette, and I think a harmonica reed.

5. My dad! Sitting in the shrine thing...

Not bad for us. Normally we get to add to my collection of pop tabs and aluminum foil, or if we're lucky some new change. 1901 probably isn't old for you guys on the east coast but it's awesome for us North Dakotans!

Any ideas on the "maybes" or "things" please post your ideas.

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Pic 3: Iron pieces

The iron ring is what they would tie up the horses on. I have found 4 or 5 this year at our Colonial sites.

 

[Staci (Fargo ND)]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Would they be attached to posts in town, and you would tie your horse to it to go into the store or something?

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Pic 4: Misc.

The top left object is a petticoat weight. According to John "Johnny" Walter, the women of the time would attach them to the dress, which would prevent the dress from blowing up on a windy day.

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Would they be attached to posts in town, and you would tie your horse to it to go into the store or something?

Yup, they would tie up the horse to it prior to going into a general store, tavern, etc.

Kyle

 

[watercolor]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Staci, you did VERY well on the relics & V-Nickel. . . but the real find is the town itself. . . a lot more awaits

Take care & best of hunting,
watercolor

 

[Nana40]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

What a GREAT looking place, Staci! I just don't know if I'd have the patience to wait till next spring, though! :P How about late fall?

Beautiful pictures! Congrats on those finds and good luck on your return!

Nana

 

[JerV3]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Nice finds,

That place looks great. Good job on the research. 1901 Is a old coin for your part of the US. Hope you come up with some more oldies. Gonna have to hit it in the fall.

Good Luck,

Jeremy

 

[Ray in CA]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Man oh man, what an opportunity!! I'd love to find a town like that around here.

I hope it's virgin ground and you get to uncover a lot of good stuff!!

Ray

 

[prolab69]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Id be all over that place from dawn to dusk. first id discriminate for just coins and only dig the solids, then clean out all the iron so the deepies show up. You know theres some good stuff there, My mouth was watering just from the pictures. And dont forget the weedwhacker when you go back!!

 

[Detectingfreak]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Thats awesome! I hope that new site brings you much luck!

 

[bazinga]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Congrats on that V Nickel and a great looking site.

All of the ghost towns in my neck of the woods are empty farm fields now. Would be pretty neat to find one like that.

Good luck finding some more goodies there!

 

[twistidd]

Re: Ghost town first-time hunt

Wow, beautiful photos. I love the bicycle frame propped up against the wall. Good luck in the future!

Joe