treasure hunting
CowBell find

Since our first adventure to a nearby Ghost Town, we’ve been able to go back a couple more times to this place. As mentioned in the first part of these accounts, we are exploring, and metal detecting, a location which has been lost to time. After the business from the lumber and ice industry ceased to operate, the towns which grew around these industries moved on. Today, nothing but some old foundations and ruins remain. It is a lot of fun going there and trying to imagine the communities that once thrived. We wonder what we might find?

The weather has turned and is allowing us a bit of time to do some great metal detecting. Before too long, however, the grasses and overgrowth will make this difficult, so we want to take the next few weeks and spend as much time as we can get. (still cold, but ground not frozen)

Because of reading the following section of one of the old books on the area, I don’t plan on detecting there too much in the summer. It states:

“…..hunting season provided a recreational outlet, with bear hunting a particular favorite. The woods surrounding the area, then as today, were a haven for rattlesnakes, and there was some talk when Adam killed a snake with fourteen rattles in mid August 1899.”

I think I prefer my cold weather exploring for this location. Many of the foundations and surrounding grounds are covered in high grasses, vines, and weeds in the summer, and so sweeping a metal detector during the key growth season wouldn’t work as well then either. I’ll just say that’s the reason….and the thought of coming across a few rattlesnakes has nothing to do with my choice to skip the warm detects of summer for this particular Ghost Town.

treasure hunting
rails across stream

One of the great things we found the second time we went to this area, which has helped in our search, is a shortcut across the stream. Some old rails remain lain across the deep waters, which give us a way to cross over to the place where they stored, loaded, and shipped the ice onto the train. Before finding the rails, we had to head down stream quite a bit and cross elsewhere.

We spotted quite a few more foundations of smaller homes in this area across the stream too. One of the foundations we were looking for over this last weekend, however, was of the School that closed down in 1938. From a map, we had an idea of where it would be. We wondered if we could find it. Just to do. We think the foundation pictured below might be it. What is exciting for me is never knowing for sure what we might learn or discover.

We metal detected, not only that area, but of others briefly. It seems we always run out of time. Nonetheless, I suppose the find for these latest jaunts was of a CowBell. That is better than a Boot, in my opinion, from the first time we went. And although we found other items, I can’t say we have found the item to brag about yet…..but when we go back…..we just might!! And we will let you know! Glad you are sharing in our adventure!

Best of luck with whatever you seek! Enjoy life’s Treasures!

map of school- #12
map of school- #12
old image of school
old image of school
Possible School's Foundation
Possible School’s Foundation
Stake find
Stake find
bolt find
bolt find
holding up tree falling to save lives
holding up tree falling to save lives
foundation of home
foundation of home
hiking up rocky side
hiking up rocky side

10 Comments

  1. Jenny, I love your supergirl pose 🙂
    That sure looks like a lot of fun. I once had an old beat up metal detector, but your stories make me want to get another. Down here in Louisiana, winter is the time to go metal detecting (ground never freezes 🙂
    I need another hobby anyway 🙂
    Great job and thanks for sharing!

    Don
  2. Hello Jenny. Thank you for the great adventure. The story is great and the photos are great. Gosh, what a hero you are to hold up that tree! You’re so strong!

    Have you done any metal detecting out West? I haven’t done any personally. My husband and I took a walk into the forest and found an old homestead that must have been built in the mining era in Colorado. There were boards and metal shingles from the home. I brought home some pieces; old door hinge, part of the roof shingle and a couple square nails. I’ve donated most of the other pieces, but kept the square nails. It’s true what you said about wondering what it was like. I’ve wondered the same.

  3. Great continuation, Jenny. Thanks. Glad your family is having fun, good find on crossing the creek.

    “I’ll just say that’s the reason….and the thought of coming across a few rattlesnakes has nothing to do with my choice to skip the warm detects of summer ”

    🙂 Are the kids buying into that ?

    Looks like a great place to hike. I prefer late winter, early spring for the woods, too. Less bugs (ticks), poison ivy, etc.
    .

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