Dilapidated House list

[cc8137]

The local newspaper has just published a list of houses slated for demolition. Does any know if its ok to MD these properties without approval from the city before they clear the property? Seems like some of them are good locations.....most are in the less desirable neighborhoods.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I have always detected them and never had a problem. Just make sure that the people have moved out. But I am talking about houses actually belonging to the city. If a private developer owns the property, get permission.

 

[Pyledriver]

I just had one of the local municipalities tell me the other day that I could detect all I want at an old dilapidated house..just don't dig!! The guy told me that it was against the rules on any city owned property to dig. Period. We talked about it a bit more and he kinda loosened up a bit and ended up telling me that he really didn't care if I went out there because it's not a park and is going to be demolished soon. He said the worst thing that would happen would be the police MIGHT want to know what I was doing there but would probably just tell me to leave anyway. So where does that leave me.. Well, searching for caches inside the house that might be behind some old board is NOT digging! So I'm going to check it out! I think that most cities are NOT like this particular one though about the digging, not to mention the INTENT of the law is not to jack up the parks, it's just the LETTER of the law that indicates no digging on any property. Not saying what I will or won't do, but if there's something there to find maybe I'll be lucky enough to pick it out with a probe!

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I do it all the time. They are building a 4 lane hi-way into Fairmont and I have been detecting demo-ed houses for over two years. The signs on the houses say "No Trespassing, state property." I don't go into the houses and try to stay very visible. I try to talk to the neighbors and let them know what I am doing(saving history before it is all gone). People who live next to the demo-ed houses can feel violated as people tend to ram sack the places and vagrants hang out in them. My dads house is next to 2 houses that have been demo-ed. I have had the police called on me more than once. Never any problem. The police have gotten to know me and only stop now because they want to know if I have found any neat stuff. I have went to the police station and volunteered my services to them and they have my number if I am needed.

One thing I learned about W. Virginians is you don't have to teach them about the neighborhood watch program. It is in their blood. They care about one another and watch after one another. When they know you, they will treat you as their friend and neighbor.

I wouldn't go to the city and try to get a proper and legal answer on whether you can detect on the demo-ed properties. You can get away with a lot in this state by who you know and being friendly. If you want a legal answer, you will get a very legal No, because of liability. They all know I detect there and we are all friends. One cop was trying to help me find good places to MD and I told him if I did that they could confiscate my detector and car. He laughed and said, "That doesn't fly here. They will just tell you to leave."

Use some common since like don't detect there after dark and you will be rewarded. Oh yea, my picture was put in the news paper detecting the demo-ed houses. It was called "Every day people". That's me.

 

[cwilk]

I sure miss seeing photos from your hunts. You find more IH and wheat cents than anybody on this board.

Chris

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I sure miss seeing photos from your hunts. You find more IH and wheat cents than anybody on this board.

Chris

Sorry, I have not been able to get out. I bought a house on a mountain top with a great view. I have been doing dry wall work and tile and etc. to make momma happy(me too) before we move in. My lease runs out on the apartment we are living in at the end of April. I have been working 6 days 10 hours a day every week. I also been having car trouble. I gave up on it this week and bought me a 4x4 Ranger truck. With all the work I have been doing I was able to pay cash on the truck.

I had big plans for MD'ing this time of year with the high grass gone. It is just not going to happen.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah years ago I detected a slew of them when the state bought up the right of way for a new freeway and moved or tore down hundreds of houses.

Bill

 

[born2hunt]

I must agree with John. My late father had an old army buddy down in WV and we visited them every other 4th of July. I have never met more neighborly folks than I have there. Southern hospitality takes on a whole new meaning when you experience it first hand.

Steve in PA

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah southern folks have a real decided edge on hospitality, and their cooking ain't bad either.

Bill

 

[DJR]

I don't know about the rest of you but I can't keep up with the old houses here in Fl. As quick as I find them I find them they are bull dozed. I work in a county agency that I should know when something is being built destroyed and such but...NOOOOO... too late. I get the addresses of the owners and before I can contatc them it is leveled!

Don

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I don't know about the rest of you but I can't keep up with the old houses here in Fl. As quick as I find them I find them they are bull dozed. I work in a county agency that I should know when something is being built destroyed and such but...NOOOOO... too late. I get the addresses of the owners and before I can contatc them it is leveled!

Don

Don't let that stop you.
I lived near Deland Fl. for over 16 years. I had some great finds in that bulldozed sand. I even found some great finds in a sand road like an 1839 cent and an 18k gold ring.