Found a really old foundation today and a cistern

[KBbottles]

I'm almost sure it is a brick lined cistern. bricks are really really old and the foundation of the old house is all flat stones. Found out about this place from a couple locals and they insist the foundation is about 200 yrs old and it burned down 30 yrs ago. I really want to search for privies, and probe the cistern but need help and I do not have a probe. I may go back tm to take pictures. close to the house is a hillside dump, but with mostly young stuff and the woods is so freakin overgrown right now. Wish I found this site earlier to work on. There could be some older stuff underneath, but not too likely as it is shallow. I have a feeling there could be good privies here and some stuff in the cistern. Anyone have experience with cistern/well digging. Don't they go pretty deep? are they worth it?

 

[JOETHECROW]

I've heard both sides (yes and no) but have never dug one myself.... Joe

 

[madman]

DIG THEM

 

[GuntherHess]

early cisterns are not typically very deep around here.

Wells arent worth digging unless they were abanded early on. They tend to be deep and dangerous.

 

[cookie]

I agree with Matt.....wells can be very dangerous.

 

[Jody35150]

Has anyone had experience going down into an old well? I have access to two, one which dates to 1900, the other is earlier.

I have an A-frame, an electric wench, a pump, and a methane-ometer.

My bottle fever has yet to override my safety concerns. And I have not been able to devise a 40-50 foot grasping or digging tool.

 

[GuntherHess]

electric wench

Where can I get one of those??

 

[Poison_Us]

ORIGINAL: GuntherHess

electric wench

Where can I get one of those??

JEEP! []

And yes, GO FOR IT! No guts, no bottles...er....glory (hole)

 

[The Bottleman]

I've heard some cisterns go up to 30 feet deep around here, as for wells i have no idea.

 

[jesster64]

KB, you never stop. Watch out for snakes.