E-Trac-Ohio
Well-known member
Like many of you we've had a lot of snow and very cold weather over last few months - because of all this bad weather - I've only been able to get out on four or five shorter hunts.
The good news is that I spent a lot of this down time researching new sites for the upcoming season.
I love doing research - it's a hobby in itself - it's like putting a historical jig saw puzzle together - In the past I've helped write several books on history - mainly on shipwrecks.
Below is a list of the ways that I conduct research - ways that have helped me locate over (25) new sites this Winter.
These sites include, a remote 1800's ghost town in the woods that had a population of over 350 people, two 1800's era Picnic Area's - locations of several old Churches that were torn down in the early 1900's - half a dozen abandoned Farm Houses and at least ten cut sandstone Cellar Holes, etc.
( 1 ) - Historical Societies - I joined two local historical societies several years ago - most counties have them - it only costs $10.00 to $15.00 a year to become a member.
Most historical societies have monthly meetings and other social gatherings - a great place to meet other people that are interested in local history !
( 2 ) - Libraries - I photo copy old photo's and articles that show or tell where larger groups of people met in the past - then highlight marker lines of text that could lead me to old sites.
( 3 ) - Old Maps - See if your county printed a 1800's Map Atlas - many counties do - make copies of the areas you plan to hunt - use highlight markers on these copies so their easier to read. Ask someone at your local historical / genealogical society if they produced re-prints of their 1800's era Atlas.
The reprints usually sell for approx. $20.00 - the originals sell for between $100.00 & $250.00.
( 4 ) - New Maps - The section numbers on newer maps will be the same numbers that were used on the 1800's maps. Put both maps side by side and see if roads follow the same routes. From what I've seen so far, most of the smaller rural side roads have remained unchanged for 100 - 150 years - but many of the main roads have been altered.
Again, I use several different colored highlight makers on these maps - a different color each for - roads, cellar holes, old mills, etc. - this makes the map a lot easier to read in the field !
This process is very time consuming but well worth the effort - it will help you pin point the exact location of old cellar holes and other great hunting sites that are long gone.
( 5 ) - Build A Separate Folder Each Town In Your Area - I have individual folders with old photo's,copied text and hand written notes on (62) different towns that I hunt.
( 6 ) - Google Images - Type the name of the town that your researching into Google Images - make photo copies of any old photo's that could help you locate hunting sites.
( 7 ) - Google Earth & Satellite - A huge help - gives you directions to the site - how isolated the site is, a general feel for the area etc.
( 8 ) - Friends & Co-Workers - I always ask friends and people at work how old the houses are - this is a great way to get permission to hunt old houses and properties.
( 9 ) - Drive On Side Roads - When ever possible I take side roads to and from different locations - a proven way to find old abandoned houses and other great hunting sites !
( 10 ) - Pocket Note Books - I always carry a small pocket notebook with me. When I see or hear about a new hunting site I like to write it down before I forget about it.
Then every week or two I put the notes from the pocket note book or tape recorder into larger permanent notebook that's always with me in my briefcase.
Like many of you we've had a lot of snow and very cold weather over last few months - because of this Winter weather - I've only been able to get out on four or five shorter hunts.
The good news is that I spent a lot of this down time researching new sites for the upcoming season.
( 11 ) - Pocket Tape Recorder - An alternative to pocket notebooks - easier and safer than writing info. down at stop signs or pulling off to the side of the road - $35.00 at Walmart's.
( 12 ) - Keep Detailed Records - of all your past hunts and finds so you can use them reference in the future.
Example ... I was looking at some of my finds records from four years ago last Fall. I forgot all about one of the sites in my records and I decided to go back and try hunting the area again.
I ended up finding two Barber Dimes and three Indian Cents. I probably never would have gone back to this site if I didn't have a record my first hunt there.
My brief case is full of maps, notebooks, old photo's and folders - it weighs at least 25 lbs. - I never leave home without it.
Hope this helps - try keep this thread going - how do you find places to hunt ?
Good luck to everyone this season ! --- Mark
The good news is that I spent a lot of this down time researching new sites for the upcoming season.
I love doing research - it's a hobby in itself - it's like putting a historical jig saw puzzle together - In the past I've helped write several books on history - mainly on shipwrecks.
Below is a list of the ways that I conduct research - ways that have helped me locate over (25) new sites this Winter.
These sites include, a remote 1800's ghost town in the woods that had a population of over 350 people, two 1800's era Picnic Area's - locations of several old Churches that were torn down in the early 1900's - half a dozen abandoned Farm Houses and at least ten cut sandstone Cellar Holes, etc.
( 1 ) - Historical Societies - I joined two local historical societies several years ago - most counties have them - it only costs $10.00 to $15.00 a year to become a member.
Most historical societies have monthly meetings and other social gatherings - a great place to meet other people that are interested in local history !
( 2 ) - Libraries - I photo copy old photo's and articles that show or tell where larger groups of people met in the past - then highlight marker lines of text that could lead me to old sites.
( 3 ) - Old Maps - See if your county printed a 1800's Map Atlas - many counties do - make copies of the areas you plan to hunt - use highlight markers on these copies so their easier to read. Ask someone at your local historical / genealogical society if they produced re-prints of their 1800's era Atlas.
The reprints usually sell for approx. $20.00 - the originals sell for between $100.00 & $250.00.
( 4 ) - New Maps - The section numbers on newer maps will be the same numbers that were used on the 1800's maps. Put both maps side by side and see if roads follow the same routes. From what I've seen so far, most of the smaller rural side roads have remained unchanged for 100 - 150 years - but many of the main roads have been altered.
Again, I use several different colored highlight makers on these maps - a different color each for - roads, cellar holes, old mills, etc. - this makes the map a lot easier to read in the field !
This process is very time consuming but well worth the effort - it will help you pin point the exact location of old cellar holes and other great hunting sites that are long gone.
( 5 ) - Build A Separate Folder Each Town In Your Area - I have individual folders with old photo's,copied text and hand written notes on (62) different towns that I hunt.
( 6 ) - Google Images - Type the name of the town that your researching into Google Images - make photo copies of any old photo's that could help you locate hunting sites.
( 7 ) - Google Earth & Satellite - A huge help - gives you directions to the site - how isolated the site is, a general feel for the area etc.
( 8 ) - Friends & Co-Workers - I always ask friends and people at work how old the houses are - this is a great way to get permission to hunt old houses and properties.
( 9 ) - Drive On Side Roads - When ever possible I take side roads to and from different locations - a proven way to find old abandoned houses and other great hunting sites !
( 10 ) - Pocket Note Books - I always carry a small pocket notebook with me. When I see or hear about a new hunting site I like to write it down before I forget about it.
Then every week or two I put the notes from the pocket note book or tape recorder into larger permanent notebook that's always with me in my briefcase.
Like many of you we've had a lot of snow and very cold weather over last few months - because of this Winter weather - I've only been able to get out on four or five shorter hunts.
The good news is that I spent a lot of this down time researching new sites for the upcoming season.
( 11 ) - Pocket Tape Recorder - An alternative to pocket notebooks - easier and safer than writing info. down at stop signs or pulling off to the side of the road - $35.00 at Walmart's.
( 12 ) - Keep Detailed Records - of all your past hunts and finds so you can use them reference in the future.
Example ... I was looking at some of my finds records from four years ago last Fall. I forgot all about one of the sites in my records and I decided to go back and try hunting the area again.
I ended up finding two Barber Dimes and three Indian Cents. I probably never would have gone back to this site if I didn't have a record my first hunt there.
My brief case is full of maps, notebooks, old photo's and folders - it weighs at least 25 lbs. - I never leave home without it.
Hope this helps - try keep this thread going - how do you find places to hunt ?
Good luck to everyone this season ! --- Mark
E-TRAC. Thats my key! Has worked great so far.
HH