Unidentified Buried Object

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/517da8d5dd2c4-.jpg

Can someone help me identify this? While digging in the very back of my backyard I hit something round and cement-like. After digging down 5 1/2 feet I finally got to the bottom of it. It seems like some sort of chimney but a few things are odd: it was buried standing up, but the thing is so massively heavy that it would make no sense to dispose of it this way – I’d estimate it weighs 500-600 pounds. It has some metal, like a chimney pipe, wrapped around the outside but the inside seems to be cement (?). There’s no opening at the bottom that I can find. The bottom ends with what seems to be a sort of tray, or maybe hunk of cement from whatever this came from.

I’ll probably just re-bury it but am wondering if anyone has any idea what it could be?

jak

in Taxes 12 years ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

uiyycgzlbp | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4937 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209633"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "uiyycgzlbp"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bz6dPG8mubZ0WijZ/ZqH7kPpt5xM1H1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "uiyycgzlbp"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "laurayen42@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-04 20:53:41"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "uiyycgzlbp"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209633)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sorry, I have no idea. It’s really interesting, though. If it turns out to be a support for a laundry ladder, or something of the sort, the homeowner certainly believed in solid anchoring. I hope you find out what it was.

Townie | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "70723"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BHD3oVuExLogAMJZwxq5xvDnzSzaSF/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "townie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "Tpietrzak@NYC.rr.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/totoro/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:29:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "5fO74Kcn6ROdoMTkPvYt"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(70723)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Wow thats some fine digging.   Wondering at what point you decided not to just give up and instead see this thing through to the end, litterally.  Did the same thing in my garden when i discovered and then excavated a 50 gal steel drum….My old timer neighbor came out just as I hit bottom to ask me what I was up to.   He told me the previous owner had placed them there to deal with excess water to act as a DIY drywell of sorts.  I was convinced I was going to find a body or maybe plutonium. My guess it’s a footing for some kind of pole… clothes pole or flag possibly.  Some folks like to place a large stone at the bottom of the hole before placing the pole.  Might explain the enlarged base.  I would ask one of your oldtimer neighbors.

oldtimer | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4943 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "17531"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "oldtimer"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B0QMESwP9zKHl.jCUbz6ODGLe.mTgY0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "oldtimer"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "eugegannon@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/oldtimer/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:48:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "oldtimer"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(17531)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It sounds like a concrete filled lally column st in a footing base.

slopemope | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "161310"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopemope"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopemope"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "slopemope@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopemope/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:24:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopemope"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(161310)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

if it was some sort of post or anchor thereof, i would expect more cement.  so given that, i might be open to the idea that it could possibly be an underground heating oil tank. Could this be a fill line?     Sine 1996 it has been law that UST’s must be emptied, cleaned and purged of all vapors. – and if the tank is not removed, the vent line must remain open and intact and fill line must be capped with concrete (or removed).     I really don’t know much about this, just doing some neighborly logical detective work.

Arkady | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Maybe direct your question to Montrose – she might know what it is.

jigman | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4943 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5120 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "2252"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "jigman"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BVgKeMXtVvqNS5DC1ooS13nguQV2qu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "jigman"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "mmueller@pbdw.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(51) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/arch_tect/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:28"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "jigman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(2252)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

A dry well.

jak | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5121 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "22631"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "jak"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "jak"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "jeffrey.knight@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/jknight/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-12-31 16:28:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "jak"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(22631)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Laundry ladder is a good theory! It’s about 3 feet in from the back fence. I don’t see any evidence of the 2 feet of a ladder – the top is round more like a chimney and the outside is rusty metal. But maybe the bottom piece of it is an anchor (?)

bklynpwds | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5122 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177016"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "bklynpwds"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaLflv1/pnijSTmW34TD1EixxbEY5O0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "bklynpwds"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "camrute@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "http:///forums/users/bklynpwds/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "bklynpwds"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177016)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

How far back is it in the yard?  Maybe it’s the base for a laundry ladder?  We removed our laudry ladder and we dug down pretty far to get the whole thing and wound up exposing a gigantic boulder that it was attached to.

jak | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5121 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4943 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "22631"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "jak"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "jak"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "jeffrey.knight@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/jknight/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-12-31 16:28:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "jak"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(22631)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’m in BedStuy, and as far as I know, our backyard was never industrial. But I am definitey concerned about the environmental / toxic possibliites, which is why I dug to the bottom of the thing: I wanted to be sure it wasn’t connected to some old oil tank or someting. It seems to be free standing, not connected to anything.

jeanmarine2 | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5123 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176972"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "jeanmarine2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BUg/ut4/qP/KUrH1I5eElmmo1dIbYf1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "jeanmarine2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "jeannersolomon@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/jeanmarine2/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "jeanmarine2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176972)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

What part of the city do you live in?  An industrial area or former industrial area?  My concern is that it could be something relating to activities that could lead to environmental problems – this isn’t my area but I’d be scared of what that thing is still doing, or what it did, and what the implication could be for my air quality or if you garden, what it could be doing to the soil, etc. etc.  I have no idea who you could call to take a look without raising alarms with the city… but definitely try to get more information before doing something that could compound any problem