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40 Times People Found Hidden Treasures Left By Previous Owners Inside Their Homes
Many old houses have their charm. It's truly amazing to start a new chapter of your life in a place that was constructed long ago and carries a rich history. Just imagine, countless people might have lived there, rising each morning, preparing meals, fostering bonds with their loved ones, and having numerous conversations.
When you move into a home with such a storied past, it becomes intriguing to immerse yourself in the house's atmosphere, honor its history, and perhaps even stumble upon hidden clues left behind by previous owners.
We've assembled a collection of pics with moments when people experienced exactly that. From discovering coins hidden in a wall to uncovering a hidden jacuzzi beneath the ground, these homeowners came across some truly cool surprises upon moving into their new homes.
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#1
My Grandparents Have A Glassed-Over Well In Their Kitchen
They bought the house 10 years ago, they stripped it down and they found it then. They thought it was quite unique and wanted it as a feature, it’s about 25 foot deep and connects to a small old river that ran under a long time ago. Fortunately I have yet to see anything down there!
There are many things that we can find in the walls of old houses, like a scorched red corset, a 9th-century clay pipe or a mastodon. When you start digging, whether it's for a construction project in a long-inhabited area or renovating a house, surprises await. You might find something like a ritual object meant to ward off spirits, whether it's from 300 years ago or just a few decades back. It could have been placed there intentionally or left by accident. Unless it's a time capsule with a note, its true purpose may remain unknown.
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#2
Finally, A Good, Safe, Story
#3
I Was Helping My Dad Move Into His New Office, When We Found A Trapdoor
Every building holds its own history within its walls, ceilings, floors, and foundations. The very materials, like wood, plaster, and stone, can hide secrets or even special items left for future generations to uncover—a connection between the past and the future.
#4
This Vintage Space Themed Wallpaper Found Under 3 Layers Of Other Wallpaper In An Old Farm House
#5
Found A Paw Print On A Brick Wall
Ana Ferreira 1 year ago
That's a dog print! I guess mine isn't the only one that thinks he's a cat. 😆
#6
Pulled Up The Carpet At The House, And Guess What I Found!
American houses dating back to the Revolutionary War era had secret rooms designed for hiding food, contraband, and militia members from the redcoats. These rooms could have served as safe havens for women and children.
#7
They Found The Old Bath Under Their Living Room
Aidan Campbell 1 year ago
Put in some flooring and some cushions and it would make a great conversation pit.
#8
My Apartment Is An Old Police Station And Still Has The Original Cell Doors But Painted
#9
Found A Message While Removing Our Cork Floor Tiles
Here are some reasons why old houses have secret rooms:
⦁In the early 1800s, many houses were equipped with secret rooms used to shelter runaway slaves.
⦁During the Prohibition era, secret rooms were essential for concealing and producing illicit alcohol.
⦁Reflecting on Anne Frank's experience, it's likely that secret rooms were used in Europe during World War II to shelter fugitive Jews.
#10
The Table At This Pub Has A Well In The Middle Of It (England)
Will Cable 1 year ago
Imagine sitting at the table and someone suddenly pressing their face against the underside of the glass.
#11
Friend Was Redecorating His New House And Found This Under A Layer Of Wallpaper
#12
Untouched 1800's Cemetery Preserved In The Basement Of A Tall Building Built Over It
The magic of secret rooms lies in their mystique and intrigue, captivating people's imaginations. In today's world, concerns about societal breakdown and a general distrust of the government could drive someone to desire such hidden spaces.
#13
Our New Apartment Has A Little Milk Door Under The Cabinets
#14
Treasure In My Bathroom
#15
Lost Hippie Mural Found Under My Flooded House
While it's easy to see some great things about old houses, like their timeless character, there are plenty of additional reasons why old houses are better than new ones.
Old houses have a welcoming charm and unique architectural features like crown moldings, stained-glass windows, arched doorways, and antique chandeliers that you rarely find in new builds. In contrast, newer neighborhoods often have houses that look very similar, creating a "cookie-cutter" look without the individuality and character of older homes.
#16
Found Some Friends In A Mile-Long Tunnel That Travels Beneath My Apartment Building
Laura Mende (Human) 1 year ago
Not at all creepy, just a normal tunnel... Why am I hearing an eery children's song?!
#17
My Friend Decided To Replace Her Old Carpet And She Found A Cellar Door And A Cool Surprise
#18
100-Year-Old Elevator Handle I Saved
The saying "they don't make them like they used to" is popular because it's true. Why? Let us give you a few examples.
Older homes were built with strong materials like stone, brick, and solid wood. For instance, the wood in old houses was from high-quality trees that are more durable and rot-resistant than today's wood.
#19
These "Tom And Jerry" Type Mouse Holes Gnawed In A House Built In 1741
#20
Found Some Nice Drawings Under The Wallpaper I'm Removing
ConstantlyJon 1 year ago
In the house I grew up in there was a drawing of a cowboy on the inside of a little door we had concealing a small storage closet under our basement stairs. I never knew it existed until after I lived there for 17 years and went to college. We stored our luggage down there and I went to grab a suitcase and just looked at it in disbelief. Thought my dad drew it or something. Nope! Was there all along for me to see, I just didn't glance at it. I cringe at how many times I opened that door and didn't see it. Drawing was a good foot tall, was hard to miss.
#21
This Building Has The Original 1909 Electrical Switches
Another example is the use of plaster in old homes for walls, which is better than today's drywall in terms of insulation, soundproofing, fire resistance, and mold resistance.
Today, the common practice is to use cheaper manufactured materials like particle board and drywall to save money.
#22
Uncovered At A Times Square Construction Site
#23
My House Used To Be A Bank, So We Use The Old Safe/Vault As A Basement
#24
This Wall Broke Exposing Years Of Layers Of Paint
Additionally, old houses were constructed with a different mindset. They were meant to be repaired, not torn down and replaced. New homes often don't prioritize the durability of materials. For example, most replacement windows today are made from vinyl, which typically lasts only 20-25 years. On the other hand, well-maintained wood windows in old houses can last over 100 years.
#25
My House Still Has Old-Fashioned Light Switches From Its Original Construction
#26
My Living Room Was Built Around A Huge Sandstone Rock
#27
I've Been Living In My House And I Just Noticed My Back Door Handle Is A Spoon
#28
Friend Tore Down His Wall For Renovations And Found This Mural On Another Wall Behind It
#29
This Headstone Found Under My Garage
Boreddd(she/her) 1 year ago
Googled her out of curiosity, here's what I found about her and her family for anyone interested: Martha Alice often went by her middle name; married 7 July 1895 to William Roland Walser (1876-1954), son of Roland Walser & Sarah Byerly. Alice died 23 December 1912, age 41 yrs, 2 months, 22 days. Her original tombstone was found buried behind a garage. At least 5 children--from 1910 census: Roy L, Zebode R, Myrtle M, Zenobian W, & Leonora M. How sad for the five young children to have their mother die two days before Christmas. Roy Lee Walser 1896–1940 Zeb Roney Walser 1900–1984 Myrtle Mae Walser 1903–1983, wed Felix Dewey Byerly 1898-1975 'Nobe' Zenobian William Walser 1904–1994 Mable Leonora Walser 1908–1914, died age 6 of diphtheria
#30
While Renovating My Basement We Found This Painting On The Cement Behind The Wall
#31
Bad**s Old Oscilloscope I Found In My Grandparents Garage
#32
So I Just Moved Into A New Apartment, And Made A Big Discovery
#33
The House I'm Staying In Has Kept Its Original Well As A Feature
#34
Found This 20-Year-Old Promise Hidden Under The Wallpaper In Our New House
#35
My Grandmother Found “Rouge” From The 1950s
Michael Sauerwein 1 year ago
Hopefully that vivid red color is not from cinnabar, a toxic mercury-based mineral that was used in old makeup.
#36
Apparently, Disposing Of Old Razor Blades Inside Your Wall Was Acceptable In The 1950's
#37
I Recently Moved Into A 70s Dream Home. This Is My Bathtub
#38
Tore Down The Floor In Our 50-Year-Old House, Found This. I’d Love To Know Who She Was And If She’s Still Alive
Carla Phillips 1 year ago
Am I the only one who thought, "oh, 50 year old house, the 1940s!" Oh, wait, it's literally 1973 and I'm old.
#39
There's A Random Chain Embedded In The Wall Of My 1930s-Era Home
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ƒιѕн 1 year ago (edited)
And when BP shortens this article. We will now have the link back to view all of the posts. After several back and forth emails with BP they have now added it back. (I checked some recent post that were cut off and the link was back this morning) I also think by their wording in the last email they are pretending it never disappeared and I was just stupid and couldn't see it.
SnackbarKaat 1 year ago
When my parents renovated the attick, they found an old license plate. For years it was a mystery until someone recognized it as a plate from a vehicle from WWII. He knew how to look it up and so we found out it was from an army jeep. Apparently, on a certain day, they sabotaged something from the germans, fled with 2 jeeps and stopped at this house to quickly change the license plates, while the original one was hidden. That was so cool to know (Belgium)
Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago
That's a cool story. I hope someone adds this to the provenance of that plate!
Load More Replies...
Headless Horseman 1 year ago
My attic, now converted into a living space, has a little door in the closet that leads to a small storage area that was once used as a tiny childrens play area. It had string lights and a vintage, great condition car rug, you know the ones that had roads on them to play with toy cars on. This house was built in 1950 by my husbands grandparents ❤️. His mom and uncles used to play in there!
ƒιѕн 1 year ago (edited)
And when BP shortens this article. We will now have the link back to view all of the posts. After several back and forth emails with BP they have now added it back. (I checked some recent post that were cut off and the link was back this morning) I also think by their wording in the last email they are pretending it never disappeared and I was just stupid and couldn't see it.
SnackbarKaat 1 year ago
When my parents renovated the attick, they found an old license plate. For years it was a mystery until someone recognized it as a plate from a vehicle from WWII. He knew how to look it up and so we found out it was from an army jeep. Apparently, on a certain day, they sabotaged something from the germans, fled with 2 jeeps and stopped at this house to quickly change the license plates, while the original one was hidden. That was so cool to know (Belgium)
Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago
That's a cool story. I hope someone adds this to the provenance of that plate!
Load More Replies... Headless Horseman 1 year ago
My attic, now converted into a living space, has a little door in the closet that leads to a small storage area that was once used as a tiny childrens play area. It had string lights and a vintage, great condition car rug, you know the ones that had roads on them to play with toy cars on. This house was built in 1950 by my husbands grandparents ❤️. His mom and uncles used to play in there!
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