Finding a Holy Grail Buried in the Ruins of an Abandoned Stone Bank Vault

Tom Askjem excavates a privy in the ghost town of Omemee, North Dakota.
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Where do we get our probe rods?
Go to the website below, and scroll down. There is a weird probe with a wide tip and the top of the page. IT’S NOT THAT PROBE. The standard starter probe is a 4 foot rod with a small welding bead at the end. This is not a paid promotion.
oldwestbottles.com/probes.php
Where do we find the maps?
You can go to the library of congress website and type in “sunburn map” or “plat map” and then the name of the town or city. Most town maps from across the U.S. are not on the site, so there is no guarantee, and they can sometimes be hard to find. You can also try the same keyword search in your state archives website, which will likely produce better results (especially for smaller towns).
Library of Congress website:
loc.gov
#antiques #mudlarking #archeology #bottledigging #history#unintentionalasmr,#antiquebottles #bottles #dumpdigging #privydigging #southdakota #treasurehunting #oldbottles #metaldetecting #ghosttown #northdakota #vintage #vintagebottles #abandoned #old #stagecoach #adventure #mudlarker #mudlark #wildwestgold #wildwest #buried #buriedtreasure

[@MegaDirtsquirrel]

This channel came up organically on my feed quite a few months back. Im not sure why, as I'd never heard of digging up old bottles before. Once i watched it, I've been hooked ever since. I'm on the autism spectrum, and I've tried watching other channels with other people creating videos and I've found they give me what i would describe as almost an odd sort of anxiety. I'm not sure if it's because theres usually more than one person digging, then running up to the camera to show what they found. Too much movement and confusion perhaps. I'm happy they're excited about their new treasures, but there's just too much happening for me to enjoy anything about it. I absolutely adore this channel, from showing the bottles with an explanation about the history, to showing them cleaned up in the credits. Keep doing what you're doing, and please dont change a thing.

[@kathleennorton2228]

He is very relaxing.

[@plauditecives]

I'm so impressed by the permission you obtain for your digs. But it's not surprising, as anyone watching your videos knows that you are a respectful and knowledgeable digger who always properly restores the sites you dig. Well done!

[@jasonthompson340]

Do you have a video showing your own collection? Or what happens to the bottles once excavated? Such as cleaned up and displayed, or how you sell, donate, etc? Curious about the process, been enjoying the videos!

[@fishnmar]

Absolutely intrigued by the liquor flasks with matching stoppers! Another fun dig to watch! Thank you!

[@maureenottinger-bb8py]

I’ve never seen you pull so many bottles with corks and stoppers! Great haul

[@CiscoWes]

This was a well preserved site!

[@monkeywentbananas]

Awesome finds! I believe all of the pharmaceutical bottles were thrown in the privy to hide the persons addiction to opiods!

[@tamaranewman8871]

Why do I enjoy your videos so much!?!?! I think part of it is because it's like a treasure hunt, but it's relaxing cuz I don't have to do the digging... I can just sit back and watch! No dirt under my fingernails to scrub and no backache 😅

[@randb4865]

Thank you Tom! Always look forward to your finds!

[@NebrSoaper]

One of your videos came up in my feed about a month ago - never knew privvy digging was a thing until I watched it. I've gotten through all your previous uploads and enjoyed every one. I'm not a bottle collector (yet LOL) but I love the thrill of the find and the care you take with the editing, providing all that great info. So glad I found your channel, I will look forward to the next! :)

[@daviddarrall9384]

Remarkable finds. Well done, you deserve it 😊❤ UK.

[@deloradeabel8487]

WOW all these unknown bottles,good for you guys!

[@fireflyidaho1]

Fun dig, thanks for bringing us along. I’m shocked at how dry the soil is!

[@garbagearchive]

Tom calls his Great Great Great Grandma “Great Good Decent Aged Grandma”

[@marydilley4455]

Absolutely the best show on bottle digs. We learn so much with your thorough research you share! Thanks ! 💯

[@fiorenzaattanasio4796]

Tom you are the BEST. THANK YOU I LEARN ALOT FROM YOU…THANK YOU FOR KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE! Lots of love from Calgary Canada ❤🇨🇦

[@mrnobody3161]

Hey! I'm in Calgary too! My Grandfather was a Homesteader in Alberta in 1908, after he had already settled in Nebraska, but the land wasn't good there.

[@fiorenzaattanasio4796]

HEY ..THATS GREAT…MY HUSBAND WAS BORN IN CALGARY 70 yrs ago…I love Heritage Park…All the Best….and you are a somebody if your grandfather came to Calgary over 100;yrs ago!!!IMHO

[@gayeknigge1995]

We don't mind if you show us some of that broken stuff too

[@esthermarygold-lowe4403]

I would buy some broken stuff too lol. So cool

[@iplantfreak]

Can you do a video where you describe how to identify bottle markings. Like how do you know that it’s a key mold? What does an applied top look like? I think it would help all of us appreciate some of the bottles that you’re finding and help us to learn faster.

[@bigpoppa101101]

sha.org/bottle/bases.htm

[@rbirkheimer59]

Love watching! I would love to find some spots to go to. Thank You for all your hard work you do. God Bless.

[@detecting_with_matt3643]

Been following for a bit now. I never get tired of your awesome videos!

[@ThatYarneyZebraStuff]

Thank you for the new upload. I am 'digging' your treasured history finds. Thank you for sharing the information that you know about about each bottle/piece unearthed. Keep doing what you do! I watch ever dig.. I am fascinated by what you uncover. You call the rarities The Holy Grail, another friend I watch dig from Scotland calls them Belters!

[@kapok7228]

Love it! Always enjoy your videos, Tom.

[@pyewackett5]

We have a saying : ' if there's still snow under the hedge bottoms - then there will be more to take it away ' you still have pockets of snow by the looks. J& G Meakin pottery from the 1950's is highly sought after & therefore valuable here in the Uk . The turn of the century stuff is not so much :\

[@HistoryStillThrives]

That sinkhole with the snow on top is exactly how I found that 1800s Privy at our farm. You found a Heilemans which is close to my area in Wisconsin. Congrats on the finds. Thanks for the education 👍

[@marjoriesmith3320]

I can see a pharmacist always putting a cork back in by habit or rule.

[@andrewowens9382]

Hi 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 Tom and jake another good bottle hunt 😊you both done pretty good 👍 😉 all the best Andrew south wales uk 👌 👍 👏 😀 🇬🇧

[@terrancemiller8350]

Not any different form no a day, Drugs & Alcohol. You just don't know how happy when I find a new video of yours, I smile from ear to ear your knowledge and willing to explain just makes me want more, thanks to you for working in all weather. I'm hoping you are enjoying as much as me. You are the best. Lots of love. Stay safe. Afriend.

[@samsager1]

Oh man!! So cool to see this video!!! Absolutely fun times!! Hope to see you guys soon again!!

[@OldFart2023]

Hope to see some of your posts soon too, miss them!! Hope all is well.

[@samsager1]

@OldFart2023 absolutely!!!

[@mattsmith635]

I am blown away by the amount of stoppers and corks in this video. I love it!

[@joesmith-es1zy]

Somebody was anal retentive, they seem to have replaced the stopper on the majority of the bottles before throwing them away. Even the tiny homeopathic cylinder still had the cork in it.

[@mattsmith635]

@@joesmith-es1zy That's what I was thinking.

[@roybal1975]

IT WOULD BE COOL TO SEE THE OWNERS REACTION.

[@charliericker3124]

Have you ever done a video covering the process of finding where to dig? Like, how far from the structure (existing or previous) do you typically focus you're search on when the ground makes it less obvious?

[@sherannwilliamson1453]

That would be very interesting!

[@robertexel3828]

Big fan of your videos from a historical viewpoint. It would be amazing if you also commented on each item monitory worth from a sale or auction perspective!!

[@bigpoppa101101]

99% of the bottles are worth maybe $1. It takes a special bottle and someone who collects them to make them valuable.

[@Thetimecapsuletx]

Medical issue or an addiction problem. The medicine back then had cocaine in it.

[@garbagearchive]

5:22 This is what we all love to hear in a Below The Plains video

[@carolstephens-fortner6887]

So interesting. Thank you!

[@mapsandglobespro]

Is it just me? I've watched a ton of your videos and I've never seen so many bottles with corks or glass stoppers still in the bottles! Another enjoyable video . That you Tom and Crew!

[@user-wk8ui6fz6v]

I've seen most of your video and I also haver never seen so many stoppers.they must have had an obsession with putting them back in.

[@ivcmom75]

Congratulations on breaking 100,000 subs!!

[@user-yr8bk9dr5o]

Your digs never cease to amaze me. Well done.

[@VolcanoTimeLapse]

I’m thrilled pharmacy bottles are so coveted. Nice!!

[@twindiggersminnesotapamandpat]

Tom, very interesting to see so many medicine bottles, most had corks in them. The dirt was so dry, they came out so clear. A wonderful dig to watch. Congrats on the three rare ones, it makes it all worth your hard work.👍👏😀

[@dannmccord1923]

Awesome bottles Tom. Just love them . the oil lamp was beautiful❤

[@brendagroff8478]

Thank you Tom.

[@robbybobby6466]

Nice to get those rare meds. Someone was definitely not well.

[@randb4865]

Aaaghh! The Omeeme drugstore bottle stopper went flying! Did you grab it??

[@randb4865]

8:01

[@Jennifermcintyre]

I saw it too!! It flew off when he pulled it up!

[@randb4865]

19:50 ... or just a piece of cork, I hope! lol

[@StirlingLighthouse]

At least it didn’t explode!

[@user-yr6ug7cl2i]

I am wondering the same thing, it would be a shame if Tom was so excited about the bottle that he let the stopper get away. Definitely needed to go together.

[@di4bol1c4l7]

So impressed by how many bottles you found with corks still in

[@JosephChick-ce6zx]

Great dig!!! Thanks for sharing!!! 😊

[@roybal1975]

FINALLY WE ACTUALLY GOT SOME EXCITMENT OUT OF YOU BUDDY🤣

[@peggynulsen1365]

Can't recall so many bottles with the stoppers still in them. Very cool dig, this one.

[@mariasalsiri6955]

I have just recently discovered your channel and I am loving your videos. Looks like sooo much fun and exciting to see what you unearth. Do you ever swab the inside of the bottles just to see if you can tell what was inside even though they have been in the ground so long?

[@user-rm1mr6se2x]

Can’t get enough of your videos Tom. You got me dreaming of old bottle dumps. Hundreds or thousands on those 3 meds? Absolute insanity. I think the pharmacy tossed new unused bottles in there?

[@dirtclodmetaldetecting]

Glad you found a couple of nice embossed pharmacy bottles! Fun to watch!

[@alisonmary1443]

Love it when you find rarities, you both work very hard and good to see the rewards. Stoppers, I have such a thing for them I worry in case you miss some, it must make a difference to selling cost 🤔 Anyway thank you for bringing me along via KZbin as always great dig.

[@tracycombs1484]

It's amazing how many still have the corks in them and they survived.

[@christinefox9075]

My mother in law worked at that Sebring pottery company. Amazing find for me. 😊

[@lauriecornell6169]

My grandmother was a Sebring.

[@gayeknigge1995]

That was probably the foot to that hurricane lamp😊

[@chancevonfreund9145]

Awesome find!

[@michelenoia6767]

Was that a stopper with the Omemee pharmacy bottle or are my eyes deceiving me?

[@bwilliams463]

I'm amazed that so many of the bottles still have corks in them after 100+ years buried. That Dakota soil must be special.

[@bmorros]

I live about 20 miles from Valparaiso, IN. Fun to see it come up in one of the facts concerning those bottles!

[@garycotterill4760]

Tom, you absolutely set the bar for all other diggers & their videos hands down ! Curious...what do you do with the 100s of unembossed prescription bottles, extracts, flasks & liquor bottles I've watched you dig ??

[@wwjoesr]

Awesome dig! I was surprised at the number of corks still in the bottles.

[@carolynsimone8647]

Congrads on your rare finds,out of the enormous amount of bottles...keep on digging...🥰🥰

[@ThatGirlinLoveland]

When Tom comes across a pit with a lot of broken dishes, window glass & flask anyone else think hmm bar fight? Or is it just me? lol

[@karynbrown7519]

Absolutely love your digs! 😅 Australia!

[@Elysian777]

I wish you could come here. We live in an 1880 Victorian built by a town founder - wealthy family. It's on 1/2 acre of original property. I have no idea how to find old privies, etc. There is a set of stone steps in the back of the yard up a rise- just seem to lead to the woods on the back part. Still has the original brick drive- but that leads to a newer garage. I have the insurance maps, but no clue how to find old dump pits.

[@kangarafarmer6552]

awsome they can see the light of day again

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

WIsh Tom could dig in Pennsylvania and other areas where the bottles go back another hundred years easy. I'm sure a lot of people got to places first though and that's why remote North Dakota still has opportunities. What is nuts is when I was a kid I saw people digging up these bottles in Wisconsin and they were 60-70 years old... Now they're 100?! I feel as old as these finds now.

[@beaverc2884]

There was something special about this pit, I can't remember you ever finding so many bottles with corks or stoppers before.

[@marybratton1766]

Today, I got to watch your video on a 75" TV and it was awesome!! I felt like I was in that hole with you..😮😊❤

[@franceshurt3517]

Hi Tom, either a town full of really sick people or hypochondriacs.🥰😘💕👌👍👍

[@jerrysadventures8952]

I enjoy your video

[@heatherreinsmith8286]

I noticed that a lot of the bottles have their stoppers in them, the cork stoppers, I don’t usually see that many in your videos. Very cool.

[@loisstump5990]

There sure are a lot of corks in the bottles! I don't think I've seen you dig so many of those.

[@1yris1]

@ the 10:00 mark there is a stopper almost touching your left hand. It's the stopper from the first really rare bottle that was found. 👍

[@di4bol1c4l7]

Finally i see that this IS a current video. By the weather

[@bessiewilson1784]

Nice dig

[@wadehendryx7378]

I'm just curious. You say you sell most everything you find. How do you sell all the prescription bottles? Do you sell them individually? Do you sell them in bulk? Do you have regular customers. Again. Just wondering. I think I'm going to go walk the creek behind the old Bidwell mansion again. You never know. Bidwell is more or less the founder of Chico Ca. In 1860. You make me want to get out and give it another try. This town has been dug for many, many years. Fingers crossed. Take care. 😊

[@kimmy419]

OMG! You look so cold! But I do enjoy the videos.

[@noelletangredi7989]

Interesting story of the pharmacist from Kitchener, Ontario that made his way to North Dakota. Kitchener is nearby me.

[@user-gv5zn2kr4c]

A fine adventure. Hope Sam was with you.

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

At 14:43 you dug up a pile of rotten paper in the back corner of the pit. I’m guessing that was a SEARS catalog, which was used nationwide as reading material and then as toilet paper in the outhouses of that era.

[@CreatingwithWinglessAngel]

Someone had a habit of putting the stoppers back on the bottles. Never really seen so many corks with the bottles before.

[@gayeknigge1995]

It's amazing how many bottles you have found with the cork still in them you don't usually find that many bottles with the cork still in them😊

[@shawn5928]

I wish I knew of someone that does what you do in the Southeast. I have a house built in 1830, I’d love to see what all is buried here.

[@connieholley1124]

No food or condiment bottles, just a couple of pill vials, not a residence but as stated a bug z business. Amazed how the locations determine the glass artifacts removed from pits.

[@janicecuroso1042]

Many of those medicines had high alcohol content. May have been one of the attractions.

[@alancarlson6822]

Just found your channel! Very interesting for sure. What do you do with all your finds?

[@thereseabee2114]

So many bottles with the cork in them.

[@kenjones4564]

It was interesting to see that many of the bottles still had the corks. Maybe when the town went down they just tossed the stock of unused bottles away??

[@bmcc12]

I’m very jealous because you have dirt/soil. I live in Connecticut, and I can only dig a few inches before I hit great quantities of rocks.

[@gayeknigge1995]

OMG I can see the rest of the oval Bowl in that dirt you should have kept digging😢

[@willong1000]

Perhaps Omemee, ND became a ghost town as a consequence of all its residents, even one of the young pharmacists in 1908 (sad), dying from their maladies, which likely included alcohol and opiate addictions if those excavated bottles are any indication! Had to chuckle at your "Oh boy, I hope it's a Rex Oval!" comment.

[@dangray]

Thanks for another interesting video. I think if I lived there in the 1900's, I'd want a lot of alcohol and drugs too. It would be cool to plant those seeds and see if they are still viable.

[@snarky_user]

MIKADO rhymes with avocado. The original word is Japanese and was applied to items influenced by the opening of the Japanese society in the late 19th Century. The most notable of these is Mikado silk fabric.

[@paulmusgrave3387]

Pop's here. Im curious on how you determine the size of the hole and when you decide you've reached the bottoms.

[@klunde121]

Since ND came into the Union as a dry state in 1889, what accounts for all the liquor flasks and beer bottles? Were the Prohibition laws that widely ignored? Was liquor still able to be bought mail order from out of state?

[@gloriaprimeau7318]

When I was a kid my grandmother used to repair china teacups etc. With evaporated, milk in can it was good as new

[@MsHunne62]

This is so interesting, who do you ask for permission from to dig? I would love to try this once where I grew up in the south?? Thanks for sharing on so intrigued.❤❤❤❤❤

[@anitaford6559]

Hi. I watch you a lot. I have a question. How much of what you find do you keep and what do you do with the rest?

[@user-eu8iy4mb2k]

So many corks! Is it because of the ground being so dry?