Uncovering the 1883 Locke and Montague Range

What it looked

like 1925- 2021

This range had been covered up since 1926.  This cabinet was placed on top. The circle on the floor was where the water tank was connected to the range and to the brass pipes on the wall to upstairs.

what we discovered underneath

We found the cast iron shelves under the house. The Gillilands  who last lived in the house cut off the range doors to add the panels to disguise it. We have not found the doors yet.

pipes to heat the water

Under the rings you see the pipes that were connected to the water tank and were surrounded by burning coals.  

What's inside? 

  As the water got hot it returned to the water tank. The pressure  sent the heated water to the upper floors. There are two full bathrooms up stairs.  Three bedrooms and their own sink.

Newspapers

The fire box was full of newspapers that were used as fire starter- wadded up around matches. The dates on the papers we found were 1925-1926. 

Coal pieces

The house water and rooms were mainly heated with coal. The residue on the walls, furniture, flooring and elsewhere reflects that time period. Gas ranges were developed in the early 1900s.

In the fire box

As we dug deeper we found egg shells, onion skins, pieces of chicken bone, hair pins,  We think the hooked metal was used to hold  fowl legs while cooking.

Inside the oven

Inside we found a metal bar in the back right and a piece of a broken iron on the left. It might have been used to spread out the heat. A Ghirardelli's chocolate tin was filled with water to add moisture.

Inside the oven

The cast-iron back shelf

was found under the house in three pieces.