If you should get the opportunity check out the Mineral Daily News Tribune- Auctions. http://classifieds.newstribune.info/Announcements
There is an auction called Knobley Mountain Auction,
Intersection of Rt 50 and Rt 220
PO Box 640
Keyser, WV 26726
They get some great stuff at that auction dating way back but the better auction if it is still there is right down the bottom of the hill maybe 1/4 mile east on the corner of Knobley Rd. The 'Colonel" runs the place and most times he doesnt know what he has. I personally purchased the entire contents of an old pharmacy at his auction. All of the old medicine bottles, still full, in their original boxes with instructions from the late 1800's. Original political pinbacks from the late 1800's. Over 1000 military grade amplifier tubes in their original boxes, never used. Items dating all the way back to the revolutionary war. If you love the historic feel of metal detecting I reccomend these 2 auctions. I am not sure if the Colonel is still in business though but maybe someone took over for him. Not to far down the road east of there you will find Romney West VA and a little farther on Capon Bridge. All on Rt 50 east bound. Both of these towns had civil war battles and the people are really nice. If you should get out the Winchester way take a stop by Middletown. Just a little south of Winchester on I-81. There is a hugh civil war battlefield there where every year they hold reenactments. Don't search the fields. Search the woods. It can be tough getting around as the woods can be thick but you will find the old stone walls that the soldiers hid behind as cover. Totally overgrown. Not many people get back in there as it takes patience. A little further north (you'll have to drive) you will find a big clearing behind the Wayside Inn. There was a house there back in the 1800's. Look at the ground. Not everywhere but especially at the south east section of the clearing you will find tons of shards of glass and porcelain. Just at the top of the hill to the east is the reason why. The Wayside inn. It has been there since 1797 and that area was their dump. http://www.alongthewayside.com/
At one time I had permission from the owner to bring backhoes in and start digging but could never afford to do it. The people there will not mind you metal detecting. About the center of the entire lot you will find remnants of the old house. They are not always easy to see. Look for the flowers. It is easy to see that they were planted not wild. The old bricks will give you clues too. I don't know if it had ever been detected or not. I know I didn't as I didnt own a detector back then. In the woods on the north side you will again find the old stone walls. I personally believe if you detect on the north side base of those walls you could get lucky. Soldiers nestled down behind those walls taking cover possibly loosing who knows what. When I lived there there were no signs that anyone had been back to the walls in 20-30 years. They are that overgrown. You may want to bring a machette with you. This is an aerial view of the field. The address is 7783 Main Street, Middletown, Va 22645
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?where1=7783+Main+Street%0D%0AMiddletown%0D%0AVa+22645&FORM=LMIEMN
To the north of that field is the apartment complex where I lived, thats why I know the area so well. If you ever get the chance to get there I think you will be happy that you went. Romney and Capon Bridge are going to be great places as well though and alot closer to you. Have fun and I hope it warms up for you soon. Chris
