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All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Digging and Finding >> Needed.Info on locating old dumps.

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Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/29/2003 7:04:20 PM    Guest I have located a town dump that they stopped using in 1940.The oldest bottle I have found is in the twenties.Now I need to locate the one before that.When locating old dumps like this ,would there be any info maybe in the old records of the location of the dump ,like at the courthouse.Any help would be deeply appreciated. CHRIS.   Post #: 1

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/29/2003 7:32:39 PM    IRISH   Posts: 1238 Joined: 11/23/2002 From: cockatoo Australia Status: offline yep the courthouse the libery anywere old records are stored. also talk to the oldies in the town some may remember an older tip. (in reply to Guest) Post #: 2

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/29/2003 8:07:45 PM    Guest chris, try digging old outhouses. they are much easier to dig than dumps usually with better more predictable results.i started with dumps 20 years ago. but stopped as soon as i was shown how to find and dig outhouses.you can usually pick the age of bottles you dig by finding older houses. using plat maps from the local library and if you live in the u.s. there are sanbon fire insurance maps at the library that are real helpful. some even show backyard locations of priveys. also city directories can be of some help.getting permission to dig in peoples back yards is fairly easy. if you develop a good pitch.i have gotten permission and dug over 600 in the last 18 years. most people become quite interested . and i always offer to leave the homeowner part of the take.this helps a lot.there are so many outhouses in my hometown which was incorperated in 1829 that it will be a never ending job and i only dig 100 years or older. i will save the newer ones for later.if you live in the u.s. and ever get to illinois you or anyone else that reads this are welcome to get in touch and come dig with me . i am happy to teach anyone how to dig outhouses. diggereff (in reply to IRISH)   Post #: 3

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/29/2003 8:55:38 PM    Guest Thanks guys for the help.I found that digging bottles is just like metal detecting.When I first started using a metal detector ,finding the new stuff wore off after a months.Then I started wanting to find the older stuff.Same way with digging.I couldn' t believe when I found the town dump that nobody else had ever hunted it.I found a number of purty good bottles, but now I am wanting to find the older stuff.I live in northwest louisiana out in the sticks.I' m glad I found this site.Ya' ll might get tired of all my questions though. One last thing.How deep have ya' ll dug in ouuthouses. I will be in the court house next week. CHRIS. (in reply to Guest)   Post #: 4

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/29/2003 10:59:05 PM    Guest the depth of outhouses will very from place to place. and i bet they are going to hold water in your area. but up in central il. we normally dig about 6 - 8 feet deep by about 4foot square. older holes can be shallow 4-5 feet . trash pits can be as shallow as 3 feet. the best hunting is in town . once you realize the pattern and habits of the area it gets a little easier.i can walk in about any backyard in the older part of town here and find several within a a short time.around here they were moved about every 10 or 12 years because they filled up. so if i am looking at a house built in 1850. i can expect to find up to 7 or so. we got running water in the 1920' s in this town. and thats when toilets went indoors.if you are digging in an area with sandy soil be alittle more careful.if the soil is firm you can dig deeper. i have dug 10 feet before but i always dig with a partner when i do a deep one. if they are stone or brick lined there is little worry .most of them around here were wood liners, and still show signs of wood after a few feet down. remember the holes have been dug before by the person who made the privy,this makes digging easy the second time around.if you dont have a probe get one. and learn to use it. it will be your best friend with a little practice. if you want info on were to get a good probe go to my last post in the cleaning section of the forum .i have listed a source were you can order one. ask all the question you might have. am happy to help. and i love to see new collectors. there is plenty out there for all of us. (in reply to Guest)   Post #: 5

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/30/2003 5:24:20 PM    Guest Thanks for the info.Up here in northwest louisiana we are in the hills.Don' t have to worry bout running into water.I am gonna get me A probe,and I am also interested in getting A tumbler. Thanks again. CHRIS (in reply to Guest)   Post #: 6

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/30/2003 6:36:26 PM    Guest chris' most bottles you are going to find wont justify the cost of tumbling.the best thing i could recommend for now is get to know your probe. and read about tumbling bottles. it is easy to damage good bottles if you dont know what you are doing. if you do get a tumbler practice on junk bottles untill you feel comfortable with what you are doing.drop a email when you get the probe i will give you a few tips. jeff ps start with a probe that measures half way between your waist and your sholders. (in reply to Guest)   Post #: 7

RE: Needed.Info on locating old dumps. - 3/30/2003 9:54:47 PM    Guest Thanks alot for all your help. And will do. CHRIS. (in reply to Guest)   Post #: 8

All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Digging and Finding >> Needed.Info on locating old dumps.

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