Metal detector hobbyists have an ongoing search for America’s best metal detecting locations for unearthing buried treasures. With everything from Civil War treasures to lost treasures of America’s early years, America is rich in metal detecting options for exciting metal detecting experiences. Before starting your metal detecting journey, remember that successful metal detecting entails proper permission and a consideration of state and national laws for metal detecting in America’s best metal detecting locations.
Here is your ultimate metal detecting guide to America’s 10 best metal detecting locations for unearthing America’s rich heritage.
1. Metal Detecting at Old Swimming Holes
The 1920s car boom generated popular swimming resorts that have become perfect locations for metal detecting. Long-forgotten recreation areas have treasures in them, including coins, jewelry, and buried treasures buried in mud and sand. Search through postcard collections and nearby museums for information about these rich metal detecting locations that received weekend visitors in droves.
2. Metal Detecting at Mid-1800s Steamboat Landings
Metal detecting at 1800s steamboat landings can yield well-preserved treasures of America’s heritage. Busy historical locations such as these 1800s steamboat landings received many passengers, and many passengers and crewmen regularly lost valuable items during trips. Over 150 years, mud at these riverfront locations kept treasures safe, and metal detectibles can claim them.
3. Ghost Town Metal Detecting
Metal detectibles can enjoy a metal detecting adventure in long-abandoned settlements that have treasures and treasures in them, including America’s early treasures and treasures of America’s early years. Most ghost towns have private property permits, but many yield rich treasures for careful metal detectibles.
4. Metal Detecting at Civil War Battlefields and Camps
Historical metal hunting at documented Civil War sites can yield military items, period coins, and individual items of both Union and Confederate regiments. Permits for metal hunting at such guarded sites must be attained, but such sites rank high in terms of offering metal hunting treasures. For a list of Civil War battlefields, check here.
5. Historic Scout Camp Treasures
Early 20th-century scouting camps make perfect metal hunting locations for unearthing treasures in history. Camps have a variety of several generations’ worth of items, including early scouting medals and early coins in America. Users of metal hunters consistently discover valuable scouting memorabilia kept in such places.
6. Drive-In Theater Metal Detecting
The drive-in cinema era saw perfect settings for modern metal hunting. Target your metal hunter near past concession stands and speakers’ post locations, where cinema goers consistently drop coins and jewelry in the dark. Old drive-ins yield metal hunting treasures. Check out some of the treasures that you can find at these locations here: Identifying Old Coins Found Metal Detecting.
7. Historic Church Ground Finds
Old church property, with permission, yields metal hunting experiences for centuries of America’s history. Target your metal hunting near past social areas and early routes, but not in cemetery plots. Historic church sites yield church items and period coins.
8. Historical Fairground Metal Detecting
Early 20th-century fair and circus locations make perfect metal hunting locations for unearthing treasures. Check early newspapers for information about such locations, and metal hunting enthusiasts will have a field day discovering jewelry, coins, and one-of-a-kind fair items.
9. Historic Hub for Transportation
Apart from principal railway terminals, metal hunting at minor stops and stagecoach stops can yield astounding treasures in America’s past. Overlooked transportation stops experienced significant activity in America’s past, and such stops make perfect metal hunting locations for enthusiasts.
10. Metal Detecting at Historic Schools
Schools from the 19th and early 20th centuries provide productive metal detecting opportunities during off-hours. These historical properties often contain lost items spanning generations of American educational history. Metal detector users frequently discover vintage school memorabilia alongside common coins and jewelry. Click here to find locations of old American schoolhouses.
In Conclusion:
For successful metal detecting at these historic sites, combine thorough research with responsible treasure hunting practices. Partner with local historical societies, study archived newspapers, and examine vintage photographs to identify promising locations. Document significant finds and report historically important discoveries to help preserve American history while pursuing your metal detecting passion.
Remember that metal detecting success comes from understanding both your equipment and the historical context of your chosen sites. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced detectorist, these top 10 locations offer excellent opportunities to uncover pieces of American history through the exciting hobby of metal detecting.
