When you were kids, what houses did you dream of growing up in, Pandas? Did Tony Stark's mansion with its futuristic gadgets and sleek design seem like the perfect place to live? Or did the Pink Palace Apartment from Coraline look way more to your taste? If you've always been a fan of old houses, this list might be just for you.
We searched the Internet for the most fascinating finds that people discovered in their old houses. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just ghosts and ghouls that reside in houses built in centuries past. Sometimes, new owners might find authentic pieces of history!
Bored Panda reached out to a couple revitalizing a 1912 home in Indianapolis to chat about the magic of old houses. Owners Matthew Bridges, who's an antique collector and owner of Father Wolf Antiques, and his partner Jessi kindly agreed to tell us more about the restoration process and what their 1912 house would say if its walls could talk. Read our conversation below!
#21 Antique Games We Found In The Attic Today. They All Look To Be Around 1920’s
Found these in the attic today while getting some renovations done. Some have all the game pieces, so may still be in a bag/box that I have to finish going through.
No idea of value, happy to learn anything about them that you all may know.
Report
104points
A modern home comes with some financial perks. It's likely to be more efficient than an old house and require less maintenance through the years. Modern houses also come with technological advances, such as smart home improvements, making daily life more convenient. And, for those who like clean contemporary aesthetics, the sleek minimalistic look could be perfect.
#23 Decent Floor Lottery. Appalachian Log Home Built In 1864. We Found This Old Linoleum Under Carpet And On Top Of The Original Wide Plank Floors
Report
101points
#24 Hello, Just Bought A House Built In 1900. The Fireplace Was Boarded Up And Upon Removing The Board This Is What We Found. Anyone Have Any Ideas Or Info? Would Love To Find Some History Out Or Maybe How Much This Is Even Worth
Report
97points
An old house is certainly rich in history and one-of-a-kind charm, but it has its cons. Many old houses have limited amenities, such as central heating or insulation. Because of their age, they also tend to be less energy efficient. That's also why they might need repairs more often. After many years, after all, some things just don't work how they used to.
#25 Anyone Know Where It Looks Like These Originate From? In My Friends Very Old Mansion. The Previous Traveled Around And Collected These From Diff Countries
Report
95points
#26 Found This Old Watch In My Grandma's Attic. It Looks Pretty Special, Anyone Able To Identify It?
I've found very similar looking watches online around the 1920's. There are two markings, one seems to read 156 and the other maybe E 791.
Report
93points
#27 Does Anyone Have Any Idea What This Tiny Door That Leads To The Outside Would Be Used For (House Built In 1950)
tectuma
Could be for leprechauns or gnomes... I still would not leave any food out.
Same-Gear-4978
Not sure if milk doors were still a thing in the 50s, but potentially that?
sugar-magnolia
it leads to John Malkovichs brain
Could be for leprechauns or gnomes... I still would not leave any food out.
Same-Gear-4978
Not sure if milk doors were still a thing in the 50s, but potentially that?
sugar-magnolia
it leads to John Malkovichs brain
Report
92points
Modern house haters say that they can feel cookie-cutter, sterile, and devoid of personality. And what old houses lack in efficiency, they certainly make up for with their authentic charm. Things like creaks in floorboards and brick walls can add a unique sense of style, and, as the years have already proven, much of the design features stand the test of time, remaining visually appealing even after a long time.
#28 Won The Ceiling Lottery
This is the feature I’m most excited about in my new home! It’s a little damaged in the corners because of the radiator pipe but overall it’s so much better than the drop ceiling. Sadly I did lose the flooring lotto - the planks (under plywood, under vinyl, under carpet) are too thin to serve as an actual floor.
Report
91points
What do you think about old houses, Pandas? Do you think their quirky aesthetics and authentic design details are worth the disadvantages? After going through this list, I certainly think so! If you liked these fascinating finds, be sure to check out previous articles about even more things that people have found in their old homes here and here!
#31 Heavy Metal Cone With Some Sort Of Measuring Markings On It, Has Threads On The Inside
Found while cleaning out an old house. It looks like it was maybe buried based on the state of the bottom half. It is entirely metal. I didn’t get a picture of the threads but they seem to start where it’s not rusted/decayed.
nitro479
Looks like an artillery shell detonator. Set it down gently and notify the authorities. Cue the EOD bot.
nitro479
Looks like an artillery shell detonator. Set it down gently and notify the authorities. Cue the EOD bot.
Report
89points
#32 Pre Great Depression Columbia Grafonola, Supposedly 1 Of 2 In The World, Sister Might Be In The White House
I recently uncovered an antique Columbia grafonola in my late grandmother's garage. The item was originally owned by my great-great grandfather Jacob E. Pierce. He used to be a wealthy newspaper owner in Huntsville, Alabama before the Great Depression and owned the locally infamous wedding cake mansion.
The item stands at about 3 ft. tall and features textured floral designs, a vinyl rack, a built-in speaker/horn, and elaborately carved wooden legs, two of which have broken off.
During the economic crisis, my great aunt took the grafonola. Upon her death, my grandma ended up with it in the late 90s and brought it down to Florida. Now that my grandmother has passed, I now have it.
These are the facts as I know them, what I don't know is, if it really is 1 of 2 in the world and if it's sister was ever in the White House, it's only hearsay passed down from my grandma, to my uncle, to me.
From the research I've done, I've come up empty handed. I can't find an archive detailing all of the antiques in the White House. That being said, I can't find any other grafonolas of the same model. If nothing else, that means it's either pretty rare or a really nice commission.
Is the family legend true?
What should I do about this antique given its less than pristine condition?
Report
88points
#33 Found Some Jars Of Coins In A Stone Wall In My Basement
Found these coins in a Michigan basement (stone wall), when I was remodeling my 1890’s farmhouse. The newest coins are from 1941. I counted 174 brand new 50 cent coins. Next day I went back to digging and another Jar popped out of the wall. This one had 10, $5 gold coins, 2, $2 1/2 coins, and one $1 coin. My pictures aren’t the best, and I might send some of better ones off for grading. Any idea what they are worth? (eBay prices are all over the place)
Report
86points
#35 Bought A House And Found A Bag In The Loft With Photo Albums Hidden Inside. Digitised Everything (The Oldest Dated Item Is From The 1870s) - A Rather Interesting Glimpse Into An Unknown Family Over The Years. Spot The Cat, Dogs, Morris Dancer, Proud Labourer, Chickens And Badass Clothing
Report
80points
#36 Found Hand Painted Folk Art On Stairs When I Removed Carpet
I removed the old carpet and 8 gazillion staples and nails. Every other riser has hand painted PA Dutch folk art. I'm going to see if I can get down to nice wood on the treads and touch up the painted risers.
This is in my old restored Barn outside Philadelphia. It was built in the 1740s and converted into a house some time in the 1940s.
There are at least 4 layers of paint on the treads. But the steps are really beat up. If I can't get down to good bare wood, I may paint them again. I tried citrus strip, you can see areas on the bottom two steps. Took a lot to get to that, not ideal. I ordered a craftsman IR paint remover. Just waiting for it to ship. I'm the meantime I am using carbide scraper on the stringers and will paint those up with a matching ivory color.
The folk art isn't really my style, but it's beautiful and someone really took a lot of time and care to paint it. I feel I owe it to the house to try to restore it and put it on display. It will be the first thing you see when you walk into my house.
Am I crazy? Do you like it? Any advice on the approach if I'm not heading in the right direction? If I have to paint the treads, thoughts on color? I'll also paint ( or maybe wallpaper) the walls. I welcome design thoughts on that too.
Report
79points
#37 Crying Caulk/Plaster Girl Here With News
Crying happy tears today because:
WE WON THE FLOOR LOTTERY! Pulled up the ugly, cracked tile in the bathroom and found the original hex tile in great condition underneath 😭😭😭. I’m ecstatic!
WE WON THE FLOOR LOTTERY! Pulled up the ugly, cracked tile in the bathroom and found the original hex tile in great condition underneath 😭😭😭. I’m ecstatic!
Report
78points
#38 My 1921 House Never Ceases To Surprise Me. I Found This Painting While Finally Cleaning Out The Attic To Re-Insulate It
Notable other attic finds from previous owners: some lovely mountain dew green carpet, a shotgun bullet press, and a functioning 10" CRT.
Report
78points
#39 Nerve Gas Grenade At The Family Cottage (Circa 1920). Details In The Comments
Our family’s 1920 cottage has had this extinguisher on the wall for decades. According to some Googling:
“In 1900, the Red Comet fire extinguisher was a glass sphere filled with CTC, or Carbon tetrachloride. Early Red Comets used salt-water, but CTC was more effective. Firefighters hurled the Red Comet at the base of a fire to extinguish the flames.
Carbon tetrachloride was suitable for liquid and electrical fires and the extinguishers were fitted to motor vehicles. Carbon tetrachloride extinguishers were withdrawn in the 1950s because of the chemical's toxicity. Exposure to high concentrations caused damage the nervous system and internal organs. Additionally, when used on a fire, the heat converted CTC to phosgene gas, formerly used as a chemical weapon.”
At least there’s no asbestos in the place…
Report
77points
