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Found something strange during renovation, has this happened to you?

homeownershiprenovationhouse hunting
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Atanas_R
Joined:
05.02.2024
Posts: 993
Topic Starter
06.02.2025 21:58
I just closed on a fixer-upper last month and started tearing down some old wallpaper in the master bedroom. Behind the drywall, I found a small wooden box glued to the studs that contained a collection of perfectly preserved vintage coins and a handwritten letter from the 1950s. It felt so invasive but fascinating at the same time, and now I’m wondering what else might be hidden in the walls of this place. Has anyone else stumbled upon weird or creepy items after moving into a new house? I'm debating whether to keep digging or just leave everything else alone.
18 replies in this topic
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Igor_Tech
Joined:
18.06.2021
Posts: 71
14.02.2025 22:53
That is absolutely wild! You should definitely check the rest of the house, but maybe do it carefully. You never know what else is behind those walls.
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otgovor_BG
Joined:
20.03.2022
Posts: 1859
21.03.2025 11:05
When we renovated our kitchen, we found a stack of old newspapers from 1922 insulation. Nothing valuable, but it was cool to see the headlines from back then.
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Leon_M
Joined:
16.11.2024
Posts: 1494
20.04.2025 13:13
In reply to a previous post
I second this. Don't tear everything down just for the sake of it, you might find something you'd rather not see!
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Simeon_W
Joined:
05.11.2020
Posts: 506
09.05.2025 04:13
My uncle found a hidden safe under the floorboards of his attic. It was empty, but it still gave him the creeps thinking about who put it there.
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Maya_L
Joined:
09.01.2022
Posts: 1168
21.06.2025 06:18
In reply to a previous post
That's exactly what I'm worried about. What if I find something that was hidden for a reason?
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ChernaKotka
Joined:
05.11.2023
Posts: 2354
29.06.2025 04:13
In reply to a previous post
Keep the coins! They sound like a great piece of history. Have you tried looking up the name on the letter?
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Goshko_Bolo
Joined:
26.11.2020
Posts: 1315
02.07.2025 17:51
I bought a house in the suburbs and found a stash of creepy porcelain dolls in the crawlspace. I threw them out immediately, didn't even want them in the house.
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SamoPitam
Joined:
31.07.2023
Posts: 1922
08.07.2025 16:56
In reply to a previous post
Wow, dolls? That's a hard nope from me. I'd have moved out instantly.
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jacek_bg
Joined:
17.10.2021
Posts: 176
13.07.2025 16:36
I’m a contractor and I’ve seen everything from old medicine bottles to love letters. It’s surprisingly common in homes built before the 60s.
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ObiknovenChovek
Joined:
02.08.2024
Posts: 736
22.08.2025 20:46
In reply to a previous post
Any advice on how to safely explore without damaging the structure?
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Timo_G
Joined:
27.03.2024
Posts: 523
18.09.2025 12:40
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Just take it slow and use a stud finder or a camera scope if you're really curious. Don't go smashing walls randomly.
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Kras_T
Joined:
28.03.2023
Posts: 402
18.09.2025 20:49
My grandmother told me it was common to hide 'good luck' charms in the walls during construction. Maybe your box was meant to be a blessing?
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Igor_Tech
Joined:
05.11.2024
Posts: 317
27.09.2025 15:10
In reply to a previous post
That's a much nicer way to look at it than my 'creepy' theory. Thanks for that perspective.
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nov_tuk
Joined:
18.10.2022
Posts: 268
15.10.2025 09:39
I found a pair of old baby shoes in my basement. Apparently, that was a thing people did for protection back in the day.
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kris_1982
Joined:
01.08.2020
Posts: 2112
18.11.2025 21:06
In reply to a previous post
I'd definitely keep digging, but maybe hire a professional to scan the walls first. You don't want to hit a pipe or a wire.
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kris_1982
Joined:
16.04.2023
Posts: 167
18.11.2025 22:26
This makes me want to start ripping up my baseboards just to see if I find anything cool.
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Yavor_K
Joined:
24.01.2022
Posts: 2137
22.03.2026 16:38
In reply to a previous post
Don't do it! You'll never get the dust out of your carpet, trust me.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
18.08.2022
Posts: 1135
01.04.2026 00:27
In reply to a previous post
Whatever you do, don't throw away that letter. It's a piece of the house's soul, in a way.

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