DigDig618
New Member
The ground has frozen in my area so until there is a break in the weather, it looks like it's research time for the next several weeks. I have always found directories fascinating. looks like they can be very useful in connection with metal detecting research. I listened to a podcast by Dan Hughes in which he suggested looking for grocers or groceries. It makes sense. Before there were supermarkets, the neighborhood grocery was ubiquitous. On top of that, people walked to and from the neighborhood grocery with change in their pockets. Other businesses that you might find in a residential neighborhood (more likely to have yards and curb strips) include barbers, beauty shops, taverns and boarding houses - to name a few. All of these types of places are likely to have been heavily trafficked by people with change in their pockets.
The older city directories (Polk's is one of the biggest names) list an individual's occupation - and back in the day people typically lived in the same place and worked at the same job for years and years. What someone did for a living can definitely be a clue as to what might be in their yard. Do you think that someone who drove a cab for 20 years in the 20's and 30's might have dropped a few coins here and there? How about jewelers, shopkeepers, lawyers or politicians?
Check out prohibition era directories (1920-1933) and look under the heading "soft drinks." Many of these establishments were fronts for speakeasies and could be found in residential neighborhoods as well.
If the ground weren't frozen I'd be testing out these ideas out myself right now. If anyone in warmer weather cares to try any of these ideas out, it'd be great if you let us know whether you have any luck.
Cheers.
The older city directories (Polk's is one of the biggest names) list an individual's occupation - and back in the day people typically lived in the same place and worked at the same job for years and years. What someone did for a living can definitely be a clue as to what might be in their yard. Do you think that someone who drove a cab for 20 years in the 20's and 30's might have dropped a few coins here and there? How about jewelers, shopkeepers, lawyers or politicians?
Check out prohibition era directories (1920-1933) and look under the heading "soft drinks." Many of these establishments were fronts for speakeasies and could be found in residential neighborhoods as well.
If the ground weren't frozen I'd be testing out these ideas out myself right now. If anyone in warmer weather cares to try any of these ideas out, it'd be great if you let us know whether you have any luck.
Cheers.
I kept a few for certain towns in KS that I had a connection with, but wish I could have saved more. Some libraries and government offices kept all the ones that they purchased, for decades, so you might just have some luck with the old ones. If anyone has questions about them, I'll do my best to answer them. 
