Tip for relic, coin and cache hunters:
Make a list of your family members and neighbors that are say 60 yrs. old and up. Then add people you know
with relatives that fall into this age bracket. The reason for this is simple.....
When they were kids, teen agers, and young adults...cities, towns, and surrounding areas were much different from what
they are today. Houses, school yards, churches, encampments, cemeteries, parks, sports areas, swimming holes, as well as old
roads, paths, drive ways, logging camp locations, battle sites, etc. In many cases were 50 to 100 years then. Think about
it! these places are now 100 to 150 years old, possibly even much older.
There are many other ways to contact people in this age group. Family Reunions, Senior Citizens Groups, Stores and Gas
Stations on the edge or outside city and town limits, etc. Maybe you know someone in a rest home. These people will talk with
you for hours and be grateful for the company. Use your imagination and soon your information sources will become endless.
More often than not these places will exist in someone's memory, not as a written record. Always have a map handy when
talking with someone about locations from "days gone by." That way you can mark the general locations and then cross check
this data with other people in that same area. If you don't have a map, then paper and pencil to draw one will do.
When I go into a new area to relic hunt, I try to find the oldest person in the area to talk to. "They usually love to
talk about old times". I have been directed to some very productive relic sites this way and met some very nice people.
Take advantage of natures fury! check local news papers and historical societies. Unfortunately, violent storms such as
tornadoes have totaly destroyed entire towns for many years and removed nearly all traces of them. With a little research
and work, you can uncover a treasure trove of relics. Just remember not to trespass and always obtain permission!
Farming areas..... It never hurts to stop at a farm house and ask directions ( even though you aren't lost ). You may even
find yourself holding a cup of coffee, glass of ice water or tea and maybe a sandwich for your trouble. While you are there
mention what your interest are, the response may surprise you. I have had offers to ride down the road and show me a spot
just like what I was hopping to find when I started out that day. In some cases they even ask if I would like to hunt around
their place. Maybe even look for a lost item.
Look close while you are there! I have seen old farm tools,cannon balls, insulators, and other items being used as door
stops, or maybe just laying around the porch, at the end of a flower bed or hedge row, on the dirt floor or around the outside
of an old abandoned shed, or barn. Sometimes, for a few dollars I would have a prize. Oh yes; don't forget to look up, not
just down !
That old saying....."One Person's Trash Is Another Person's Treasure" is more true today than ever before, and people
will pay well for it too !
In closing just remember.....There are more valuable items yet to be found, than the total of everything found to date.
The more creative you become the better your chances of finding your fair share.