We Always Jump At The Chance...Pouncing on a Privy!!

[jgas]

Kinda ironic how this one came about. I have been driving by this house for a couple years and always wanted to dig the privies and metal detect it. I suppose I was waiting for just the right time to see the owner and ask. Well that time came today. I had just drove by the home and searched an App on my Iphone called HomeSnap to see what the age of the home was. Unfortunately the house did not have a built date..Although I knew it had to be one of the earlier ones in this neighborhood just by the construction of the home and the color of the basement bricks(yellow). Which usually means older.

Flash forward a few minutes later and the owners daughter was there getting ready to sell the house. So I jumped at the chance to see if she was interested at all in what we do. I told her about our hobby and she immediately said "go right ahead and enjoy yourself, but make it quick because the house may be sold tonight." So I called Don and we were all over that place like flies on......well you know!

So we arrived in mid afternoon and low and behold the second probe in the ground and we hit a pit. Right next to that was another and right in front of those was another. Yea, at least three pits so far. So we decided to concentrate on two of them since we were on limited time.

Don the expert landscaper that he is, cut the hole open and we started slinging dirt. Soon we were graced by a couple of local hutch bottles. Then another and another and another. Six in all

Then Don has a nice blob beer fall from the side of the pit and this one was intact. There were several broken along the way too. Never heard of this one either so that's a keeper for sure. Don even pulled out the privy lamp that must have fallen in at some point. Nice milk glass lamp. We ended the digs with a couple medicines. All in all we scored fairly well again and the best part of the day was meeting the owner and gaining another friend along the way. She even said that after the sale of the home we still have a two week window of opportunity until closing. YIPPEE!!!! There's another pit there too and it most definitely has glass in it as well, just not sure how old just yet. Soon very soon though we will be back searching for antiques in the ground! Hope you enjoy the pics and goodluck on your next adventure. Be safe out there everyone!!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[JmCraz8]

Those are some cool bottles, congrats!!! sorry this might sound stupid but what is a privy? is it like an old trash pit?

 

[Papa Bear]

Those are some cool bottles, congrats!!! sorry this might sound stupid but what is a privy? is it like an old trash pit?

Old outhouse hole.

Well done Fellas!!!! Classic location. Back of the yard, along the fence line!!

 

[Goldirocks]

Awesome finds!

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Nice,
good job.

have a good un.......
SHERMANVILLE

 

[flintknapper too]

How do you find where the old outhouse set?

 

[hdmech71]

Killer bottles

 

[tngirl]

Any tips on finding the privy?

 

[old digger]

Nice bottles, Congratulations!

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice job fellas!

 

[john glassman]

Nice dig again guy's keep up the good work!!!

 

[metaldetectingtaylor]

jgas,
quick question. what do you mean by you have to probe the ground? How do you know if there are going to be bottles there?
-MDT

 

[Papa Bear]

First of all: Permission of property owner to dig a big deep hole in their yard......

 

[CRUSADER]

jgas,
quick question. what do you mean by you have to probe the ground? How do you know if there are going to be bottles there?
-MDT

If you probe with a big spike, it will become obivious to you where a hole 'was' compared to where normal ground is. Takes a little practice but very simple.

 

[jgas]

Hey all, thanks for the replies. It was a nice privy( outhouse) area to do. I know we will get more there soon. Just gotta find the time. For all those wondering about the probing. As Crusader says, get yourself a 5/16" x 6 ' probe rod and start punching that in the ground and you will feel the layering of the privy soil/ ash. Then all you need is a shovel, a tarp, permission and about 3 hours or so! Oh yea, a strong back and a friend to help. Thanks again for the replies!! jgas

 

[lost hunter]

good job

 

[Murf61]

Privy

Any tips on finding the privy?

Maybe you just "follow your nose"?!

 

[gleaner1]

Awesome dig the Pabst and wicked amber are killing me. Good one jgas.

 

[terryo]

usually,"out houses" or "privy's" are located away from the home foundation, (if you can see any) and in our area at least, there will be a slight depression.They wouldn't be too far from the house, for convenience(or the runs!), but far enough away to not smell it ! There are often more than one, because as one filled up, another would be dug, etc...

 

[Marinehunter]

Nice bottles and very good story and photos