Discovery while digging

Found this weird covered and walled hole while digging foundations. Wonder what it used to be… There used to be a house on that lot, but not at this precise location.

transworld

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 11 months ago

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iceberg | 11 years and 11 months ago

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@twowheelfan what are you thinking– underground railroad safe house or tunnel?

twowheelfan | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I am interested in your discovery! it does not look like a privy for a couple of reasons but I would like to contact you and discuss. My email is twowheelfan@yahoo.com thanks and hope to talk with you soon!

berniceshola | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Awesome! The bottle is a “blob top” beer bottle. Like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRUDE-ANTIQUE-BLOB-TOP-BROOKLYN-NY-BEER-BOTTLE-32-Oz-QUART-EMBOSSED-ANCHORS-/390664443045

transworld | 11 years and 11 months ago

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And a nice bottle… It reads WM. EMKEN with a Rochester Avenue address. Probably from 1900-1910.

iceberg | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Any chance this is speakeasy-related? I know somebody who found an underground distillery/speakeasy behind a basement wall when digging a new foundation.

marie-helene | 11 years and 11 months ago

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It could also have been a dry well or an ice cellar (to keep milk, eggs in ice in summer.)

transworld | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Yes, it’s in crown heights. Probably a privy I guess. Didnt have time to dig any deeper… Thanks!

Bessie | 11 years and 11 months ago

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What’s the bottom like? Could it have been a privy? Is this in Brooklyn? Outside of Brooklyn I’ve seen root cellars, coal storage, wells and smoke houses in little yard buildings with foundations.