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History writers never took the time to
research the ghost towns of Middle America and the Eastern states.
Instead, there has always been the fascination with the
ghost towns of the
Western states. Most books or stories having to do with the "gold rush”
will probably mention a Western town that once thrived; yet today it is a
ghost town. Those stories have kept alive the interest about the Western
ghost towns.
The excitement that surrounds the
ghost towns in the Midwest and the East, becomes even more interesting,
because they are more difficult to locate. And the difficulty of locating
these ghost towns makes them more of a mystery.
My travels as a treasure hunter have
taken me to many Eastern ghost towns. I have hiked through miles of brush,
crossed hundreds of streams and rivers and climbed steep ravines in search
for the old towns of the east.
Anyone who is interested in
American History should take the time to research and to explore the settlements
that once populated our rural areas. It’s a great adventure and an
interesting way to spend time outdoors.
Cellar Holes - In the Eastern
and Midwestern States, most of the
ghost towns are nothing more than a
hole in the ground. The holes are cellar holes. They are what’s left of
the houses that once sat on top of them.
Searching for cellar holes or
ghost towns is an exciting adventure that can lead to some interesting
experiences and treasures. Many times, in the areas surrounding the
ghost towns, are pieces of history, lying on the ground, untouched for hundreds
of years. Old bottles and pottery shards often lay scattered. I also use a
metal detector to search for relics lost or buried by the past
inhabitants.
The First Pioneers -
The first pioneers were a hardy bunch. They had to deal
with harsh winter months and hot, humid summers. In addition wild animals
and infectious diseases were a constant problem. Of course, there was no
running water or electricity either. Everything was done by hand,
including digging the cellars for the homes.
Nor was raising a family easy. Many
young babies and children died of disease. This is confirmed by the fact
that as I locate old cellar holes, I often stumble upon an old tombstone
erected on the property by the family, and often the grave is the burial
site of a young child.
I have a lot of respect for those
pioneers
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