What is this structure????

SJ · Jul 20, 2012

This structure is in the back of the house we just bought across the street from lake Ontario in Rochester Ny.The town historian says he thinks it was a cold war bomb shelter.I wouldnt guess that.The concrete and stone mixture looks really old,the house was built in 1948.Curious about the grooves in the sides also.Theres a window in the back wall,seems like there wouldnt be a window in a cold war bomb shelter.Theres no proof but heard there was some cannons here in war of 1812,as my house sits on the highest point over the lake in the general vicinity.Could it be an old magazine?Also thats an old railroad rail going across the top.

Thanks
Stan

Dean · Jul 20, 2012

It's definitely not an 1812 War relic.

Could be an improvised root cellar.

Dean

RLA · Jul 20, 2012

looks like a club house for Very Short Kids...

bison · Jul 20, 2012

Mebbe an hideout for the for the man of the house when the wife was in a bad mood :lol:

jackinok · Jul 20, 2012

looks like a old root cellar to me.probably had dirt over the sides and top at one time,and the window was for ventilation.grooves along the side might have held shelves.doubt there would have been a window in a magazine.might have just been wood accross the front.

just another old geezer · Jul 20, 2012

could be a part of an old building basment turned into a root cellar or storm shelter. Check the walls to see if they look to be of the same time frame as the roof. Same structure, design, materials. etc. If it was portland cement, odds are it is less than 100 yes old. Stone walls laid up with hot lime were the norm before that. Any clues in the abstract???

Red Mud · Jul 20, 2012

I believe I'd dig all that dirt out and maybe put in a concrete floor, might make a good hobby shop.

Jason1Pa · Jul 20, 2012

Don't think it would provide much protection from a bomb.. I would like to dig it out though. you may find something that would give you more clues. Just like someone else said that would make a good storage building or work shop with a little TLC

mike plotner · Jul 20, 2012

Probley something like a root cellar. With the railraod rail makes it at least the 1840's . Its pretty cool though!

northvale-PA · Jul 20, 2012

I'd say root cellar too. We have a stone ice house on our place here in SE PA. Its square, 3' in the ground, a low door, an upper door and a wood frame roof. So, yours COULD be an ice house. Dig it out, nice pig pen.

Rich_WI · Jul 20, 2012

(quoted from post at 14:32:55 07/20/12) could be a part of an old building basment turned into a root cellar or storm shelter. Check the walls to see if they look to be of the same time frame as the roof. Same structure, design, materials. etc. If it was portland cement, odds are it is less than 100 yes old. Stone walls laid up with hot lime were the norm before that. Any clues in the abstract???

Checking to see if its lime mortar could give some good clues.

Checking old plat books would also help narrow things down. Your local library may have some old ones.

You might also want to check old insurance records. I read an article that stated there were only a couple insurance companies 100 or more years ago and they did site visits and made maps. I was able to find a map of a house I owned and it narrowed down when an addition was added to the house to a 10 year time frame. It also showed where the old outhouse was and a small out building that I didnt know was ever there (only there about 40 years). Its worth checking out if you can find them. I got access to mine from my local library.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 20, 2012

filthy rich ground hog!!!

jon f mn · Jul 21, 2012

Those grooves are very interesting. I don't see why they would be in a root cellar. Very curious indeed. You can see it was longer at one point too. I would definatly clean out the dirt to see whats under it.

What is this structure????

SJ

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Dean

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RLA

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bison

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jackinok

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just another old geezer

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Red Mud

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Jason1Pa

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mike plotner

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northvale-PA

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Rich_WI

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Anonymous-0

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jon f mn

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