Hot Rods Treasures found in the Basement

So,

The other day I was in the basement just looking around checking for damage from the winter.

Back story, I live on an old Dairy Farm that has buildings dated back to 1865. The 350 acre Farm actually had bottled its own milk and sold to the open public. The old bottle washing plant is actually my current shop. The house is dated 1869 with a stacked stone foundation and a Bilko style doors only accessible form outside. Making access to the basement during the winter a difficult thing when you live in SKI country.

Well the other day, I was in the basement checking on the furnace (normal Maintenance) and started looking around at the foundation. I happened to look up and see some papers that were very old. I pulled them down, they were very damaged from years up on the foundation between the floor joists. They were actually envelops from the DMV. Looks like the previous owners of the property had saved them. Well in the envelopes were pairs of used NYS license plates. Thought it was pretty interesting that they were carefully wrapped up , placed somewhere for safe keeping and then forgotten about, only to be found by me in 2020.

Well, here are some picture of the treasure I found in my basement. The plates from 1940 were actually on the bottom and they must have seen more moisture from the foundation as they have more rust. 1939 must have been a good year they must have had 2 cars. To think of all the cars and vehicles that have been on the property over the years.

 

Who cool is that!
How long have you lived there?

 

Nice stash!

 

Wow!!

 

Thats cool! More history saved!

 

cool find

 

very very cool.

 

Hmm. All shown start with 3H.

Are they going on your cars?

 

How cool!
Like finding a long
Lost treasure!
Those plates are in good shape. Worlds Fair plates to boot.
Let’s see some pictures of your house and buildings?


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Great find.

 

Someone told me that back in the day they issued license plates based on the county you lived in. it was a quick way for the police to determine if you were from out of town before they even ran your plates. I think Ohio still issues plate s with numbers based on county you live in.

 

Love those old license plates.

 

Nice Worlds Fair plates are much sought after and hard to find.

 

never know what type of history is hidden in a place like that

 

3H was Cattaragus county through the late 60s.

 

Yep, I am in Catt County.

Here is a google street view of my house and barn. The white building to the left in front of the red barn was the Milk bottling plant, now my shop



Here is a Satellite view top of picture (brown roof) is feeding shed, everything white is the barn. Small section of white to left of barn is my workshop. Two round objects are the silos. My house in the middle. Bottom is the house next door that I own also.
Barn is 1865 ish.
My house is 1869.
Next door is 1875.

 

Here is another street view coming from the North.
The barn is Red in case you didn't know that. The smaller building, white with red gables and white roof is my shop.

 

Nice

 

Nice find! Awesome place you have there!

 

And I am guessing the barn is stacked with old cars?

 

Dude, that is an awesome setup.

 

Nice find, although some plates show an extra hole, that will hurt their value. The plus is that you have pairs.

 

Thanks for the comments about the place. If your around sometime in the summer cold drinks in the shop fridge and a I have an extra seat on a lawn mower, currently cutting 6 acres. Could use all the help I can steal.

As for the plates they are going to be hanging on the shop wall soon. Some shop remodeling going on right now.

Did you know Drylok paint is $120 for 5 Gallons. I have used 5 buckets so far and still need more. The shop walls are cinder block and have never been painted. Soaking it up like crazy. Also re-wiring the place, Shop is very industrial from the 30's 0r 40's. Still has screw in fuses.

 

Congrats! I had a very similar experience finding a plate in my basement in 2010 (had been in my house for 13 years at that point), but it was laying on the dirt under a flat wood covering to shield the dirt. My find was far less satisfying than yours...

 

Nope, I am trying to not get too loaded up with projects. Wife makes random inspections, threatened me with bodily harm if I get the barn too full. Current inventory is tolerable. 30 Model A Vikki, 34 3-window, 37 Tudor Sedan, custom 40 Ford truck. and a couple off topic vehicles. Allis Chalmers D17 series IV tractor with front loader for the larger projects around the property.

 

Why not put the plates on your appropriate year cars?

 

Beautiful place you have there.
Spray your walls down with water before the paint.
Give yourself four hours of drying before the paint application.


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Probably will, but I have a VERY nice pair set aside for my 34. It is not that easy in NY, easiest way I have found in NY is to apply for Vanity plates that match the plates you want to install.

 

Very cool find! I have a bunch of license plates decorating my detached garage. Most are 70s and up, with a few 30s-60s sprinkled in. I figure that old plates are just right for a car garage.

Sent from dumb operator on a smart phone

 

And Nebraska