Old High School

[crabby]

I was made aware of an old high school that sat in the corner of a road from the early 1900's till the 1940's then it was torn down. I talk to an elderly woman who went to the school and found an early 20th century may that had the school listed on it.

Of course is grew up and was wooded till about two year ago. All of the trees were cut down and the brush taken out. It was then graded. I've never seen anyone metal detecting on the land.

How would you go about hunting this place?

 

[Hillbilly Bob]

If the lot has been cleaned up and graded then I would say someone is going to develop the land, I would try to find out who owns it or even who the developer is by going to county records or even the county assayers office, if your city has a Planning and Engineering Department they can tell you if someone has put in for a permit to build. Then ask for permission. Sounds like a great place to detect.

 

[Nancy-IL]

If there is a farm house close by, go there and ask if they know who owns it if you can't get to the County Records. They might know or might know who to talk to. When approaching the owners, tell them your interests. Be honest. Let them know you will NOT leave holes. That you WILL leave the land as it was, if not better. Make sure you let them know if you find any identifiable item, it will be returned to them if it's theirs. We have business cards made up with our pictures, address, phone numbers, etc. to give to the people we talk to. It helps out quite a bit. We've also taught the local college's Crime Scene Tech. classes semi-yearly on how to use the metal detector. Everything is on the card. If you belong to a metal detecting club, mention that also. We've been turned down, but very seldom. Usually we walk away with a big smile! Good luck and I hope that helps. Do you need any help detecting it? HH to all, Nancy

 

[B.T]

n/t

 

[Rob (IL)]

Crabby, when you said it was graded, do you mean they scraped the dirt? Around here they scrape the good dirt (and coins) off when they develop a site. The good stuff would then be in the dirt pile which they sell as black pulverized dirt. Rob

 

[crabby]

The lot used to be very heavily wooded. Other than taking the stumps out, scratching the dirt a little, and, using a compactor, this lot hasn't been touched. No, it has not been graded.

Crabby

 

[dahut]

GO knocking on doors in the vicinity - someone will know.
They always do.

Or you can just detecting there. If there is nothing more than a bunch of pushed around dirt, and half grown weeds, it's unlikely anyone is gonna even notice you.
If they do say anything, hand them your card and let them know what you're about. After that play it by ear.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

Put a hard hat (white) and florescent vest on and they,ll think your a city official.

 

[dahut]

Put a hard hat (white) and florescent vest on and they,ll think your a city official.

All joking, aside I've done that - sans the hard hat. I have one of those vests for when I'm downtown detecting. I used to wear working uniform clothing, too, bought used from the Goodwill. I looked just like a city worker... and no one bothered me.