Mysterious Tank Found On 140 Year Old Farm (What Is It???)

[@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG]

Spoiler alert: not a well, not a septic tank.... Help Save The Byrd House: www.paypal.me/rwrightphotography Mail: Sidestep Adventures PO Box 206 Waverly Hall, Georgia 31831

[@donnieroberts5485]

q+++ wow that's melted

[@newdogatplay]

Cistern for water maybe

[@artcflowers]

Have you found any old photos of the place at the library or records halls?

[@rstom1199]

Honestly never thought watching you clean up this farm would be interesting but I find myself looking forward to your posts. Love every minute of your progress. Keep up the great work.

[@belleange590]

Same here. It is almost like we are there with Robert.

[@sandraa2971]

Same here. Lol

[@barbaragoss6177]

Yep I'm hooked and I'm a 74yr old grandmother in Tasmania Australia saying hi !

[@barrygrant2907]

If you've ever been around an open septic tank--you'd know it that was a septic tank.

[@ptaylor4923]

Not necessarily after 50 + years.

[@Ragnar8504]

@@ptaylor4923 More like 20+ in this case but still, the contents should be reasonably well composted.

[@drunkdunc8738]

Skeptic about septic🤔

[@carolynrog3rogers339]

I have lived in the country all my life in Louisiana and I can tell you with out a shadow of a doubt it is a septic tank .

[@carolynrog3rogers339]

I have lived in the country all my life in Louisiana and I can tell you with out a shadow of a doubt it is a septic tank .

[@billarends2244]

It’s a cistern. A swallow well like water reservoir that seldom had natural water source and needed refilling by rain water or purchased water for household use. Very common where I grew up in 1940-50s Missouri.

[@bettyclarke5150]

Your videos are bringing back some fond memories Robert. I spent time on a c1867 farm when I was young. I enjoyed exploring inside the old barn and sheds and found some early pottery and bottles that I still have today. Sadly the barn collapsed a while back but thankfully no one was in it at the time!

[@randomvintagefilm273]

I'm just amazed at the contraptions people made way back then and how many things we find that we have no idea what they are!

[@noahvansciver5661]

You’re a fortunate man for having so many real friends who are willing to help you. I am truly jealous.

[@bevanstacykearse9099]

The joys of discovery this property is getting more and more interesting

[@cathyruthroff6226]

Just can’t get enough of the Ol’ Byrd House. Love it everyday

[@redgail7899]

A new adventure everyday on the old Byrd farm. We really enjoy watching you bring this old place back to life.

[@DesignsbyDonBrown]

One sure way to find out if its a septic tank / fuel storage or a well, would be to drop a match down the hole. If its a well, you just have a wet match. If it's a septic tank or fuel storage you have a hole big enough for a new pool. LOL!

[@stratocaster1greg]

Ive seen lots of weed put in the ground. More goes on around those old farms than folks realize. Save the farm sometimes means growing a bunch of weed. Thanks for sharing.

[@brianmcintyre6407]

I'd delete this now before the EPA comes out and declares the farm uninhabitable due to hazardous materials and requires remediation. Nothing to see here!

[@laurabrooks7655]

My parents had an old gas tank on their property and they removed it and the surrounding soil before the EPA could get involved. If they do, it can get pretty expensive to remediate.

[@gayleloy7111]

Very interesting video. Glad to see you both wearing gloves. Love from Australia. Stay safe. Love you all. Xx

[@butchfoot]

I believe its a carbide generator, used to make gas for lighting. Some old farms used them.

[@johnbaskett2309]

Exactly what it is. My grand dad had one, still in use up to the mid 50's. I remember it well. The gas was piped through out the old farm house. Had mantles much like propane lanterns. REA brought power into the area around 1950. Farmers wired their barns with electricity as soon as they could, but power to the house didn't really have any practical use. Lights in the barn, a milking machine and a cream separator saved a lot of work and much more important. I remember grandma was on cloud nine when they finally got power in the house she got a brand new shiny Maytag electric wringer washer. Before that she had to use a old wore out gasoline engine powered Maytag outside that was a bugger to start, especially on a cold day. The next milestone was a television. An old CBS. That was just before the Kennedy/Nixon debates. Neighbors came from all around to watch it on my grandparents tv. They finally got a telephone around '65. Eight party line. Now day's, if the internet goes down for a hour, folks panic and think their life is about to end.

[@daveborchers5649]

@@johnbaskett2309 I agree. Check the house for gas lines/ gas lights

[@allenbuck5589]

@@johnbaskett2309 that was my childhood

[@shirleyreynolds2090]

Following you is like a new treasure hunt everyday! Thanks...be safe

[@meriajohnfroe4205]

Mr. Robert, you may want to ask a, septic tank counter company if he’s able to tell you if it’s a, sewage system or a, water company if they’re aware if any water pipes were. Going towards this property! Maybe the County court may have maps of this home and see it wells were dug back then for their crops or farm animals! Not to hurt in finding the truth out! Always check before you try anything! Never poison yourself! Never drink that dirty water! Love your home you’ve purchased! Good luck remodeling this beautiful old home!

[@patricialenaburg6553]

Mystery on the old Byrd Farm, another episode. Better than TV. LOL

[@conniewojahn6445]

I'll say better than TV.

[@dianacreamer9761]

When you first uncovered it, I thought it might be a land mine, since you found those big shells the other day. You lucked out. Could have blown yourselves up! Keep on truckin' guys. You're doing good! Can't look away. So interesting.

[@ptaylor4923]

Diana, are you a prepper? Sounds like intruders should watch their step around your place. 😉

[@pamelasinclair-karney8856]

Love reading the comments, some are so funny, makes me laugh and makes my day. Thank you for sharing. All the way from Canada.

[@admirathoria0073]

Maybe that's where Grandpa hid some of his corn squeezings. lol

[@conniewojahn6445]

good one!

[@wannie9731]

Now dig around the outside of this to see if there are pipes going from the house to this tank.

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you for the update and adventure ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you maybe doing next ! Doing well here in Kansas .

[@ithacacomments4811]

Cistern? My grandparents had a cistern on their farm to collect rain water in. Some farms had spring fed cisterns.

[@alanatolstad4824]

The cistern on our North Dakota farmstead is inside the house. The downspouts directed the water into the cistern, and the folks had a handpump to access the water. When we go back each summer, Mom orders water delivered, because the downspouts no longer get used to collect the rain and snow.

[@ptaylor4923]

Not likely

[@carrieann1640]

@@alanatolstad4824 Years ago I lived in just that sort of a house outside of Buffalo, New York. I'd tried to wait till we were having a really good rain to run the washing machine. Had a nice well for the drinking water.

[@alanatolstad4824]

@@carrieann1640 We can't drink or wash dishes with the cistern water d/t the occasional mouse that falls in! We have to take BIG buckets to the lake for drinking/washing water at the campground. And, showers have to be taken at the campground showers as well. It's a 2-mile drive as the crow flies!

[@carrieann1640]

@@alanatolstad4824 No, we never used the cistern for anything but washing, To my knowledge we never had a mouse...

[@cynthiacronin2794]

Called the other Robert! He has a lot of knowledge! Inherited from Grandpa!! LoL 🤣😂👍😁!!!

[@ChrisLincolnHomes]

Odds are the septic tank and well are on opposite sides of the property.

[@ellnaurquhart4413]

Chris Lincoln I would hate that water system and septic system are that close together. Yuck.

[@ChrisLincolnHomes]

@@ellnaurquhart4413 Typically they aren't because you don't want a leaching field leaching into the well water. As a realtor we always need to know that if a house has a well for water that the septic tank and leaching field should be on the opposite side of the property.

[@ptaylor4923]

I sure as heck hope so.😅😂

[@fredted5115]

@@ellnaurquhart4413 Yep, nothing like shitty water or watery shit.

[@christinedehn3257]

there's an old expression. "Don't shit where you eat." Old timers understood the principal and it applies to drinking water as well. A water supply would not be close to the septic field.

[@jamiecampbell3068]

I'm pretty sure .. .. that I don't know, what the Hell that is. Hope that helps !! Take care.

[@tashasmith6179]

I was thinking "where is Robert#2" right before you called him lol. Please be careful guys. Y'all are doing a great job 👍😃

[@HeyLisaKay]

The other Robert is so knowledgeable! Very cool find! I’m telling you as you go along you’re going to keep finding neat things like this

[@donnabeard9344]

Could be an old methane tank. Some of old places heated that way. My parents found one on their property.

[@robertking288]

Old sand point well they were common back in the day it mainly a cheap way of getting water when the water table is really close to the surface the only drawback is they are easily suseptable to be polluted.

[@robertking288]

It also could be an old sistern check around the house am see if you have any capped off pipes in around the farmstead.

[@DFDuck55]

From where you said you thought the septic was I had my doubts that would be a well, so close to a septic. My first thought was a cistern. A stove oil storage tank sounds like a pretty good guess to me.

[@doriscarroll8087]

Learned something new today. Never heard of a fuel tank like that. Waiting for next video. 🙂

[@troycebrooks6941]

First thought is a cistern for fresh water.

[@crowznest438]

What a fun video! It's hard to catch me out on something I've never seen on an old farm before, but you did it this time.

[@barbaramccarley5803]

I know what it is!!!! Its a breeder tank for mosquitos.

[@sherrielake6689]

Lmao!

[@pamelasinclair-karney8856]

Lol

[@ptaylor4923]

😅😂

[@suziidfl]

Could be a old heating oil tank from the 1930 1940 era. One of the two valves under the house might be a shut off valve for the tank. But, I could be totally wrong.

[@suziidfl]

Sorry, I answered the question before watching the complete video.

[@haroldelrod7337]

Looks like a old carbide gas genator tank. Bottom may be rusted out and water leaking into it.

[@andystuckey2561]

Bottle it and call it “Robert’s Byrd Farm Natural Spring Water”! Sell it for $.250 a bottle

[@williamkeith8944]

Yeah, use those all those glass jars

[@ispy7588]

LOL 😂 Andy Stuckey w/William Keith! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@drunkdunc8738]

"With a dash of Wisteria " hasn't been done yet in the spring water range 🍻

[@deniseoftedahl8937]

Cool beans!!! (I am shocked that "The Other Robert" was stumped!)

[@valeriealexschiel320]

this was maybe the best thing I have seen today........great job Guys

[@steveclark4291]

Could it be what is called a gray water pit ? The place where my mother lives has one ! I was told that the gray water pit is where the kitchen sink drain would go as to keep grease and stuff from going into the septic tank ! You might try looking into a little bit more history of the place which might give a clue as to what was used for !

[@maryh1421]

Try your fishing magnet. Who knows what you might find!

[@corinnerenshaw3621]

What an interesting mystery ! With the Patten number, could you find out more about it that way ?

[@tedwalker1370]

May be a septic tank. The piece you pulled off had a float on it so they wanted to know when it was full or the float triggered a pump.

[@raymondsmith4808]

Would it be prudent to dig up the possible lines that go from the tank? Maybe that would show if electrical system was used to pump or if drain lines were attached.

[@jshadows4118]

Good morning yall! Cool find! I found one exploring an old homestead in lowcountry. I had no clue what it was. No digging required tho

[@ptaylor4923]

I love how you keep digging up history.

[@trellenrussey6293]

Not near big enough for a cistern...but the gas generator thingy sure looks right...sheesh, seems like could be dangerous to use?

[@SpringRiverHollar]

Goodmorning everyone , I'm so excited to seeing more of the Byrd House and all the treasurer Robert is finding .

[@frankforrest1597]

I think it may be a gas generator, works with carbide and water. Miners used lights on this principle, also old car lamps and bicycle lamps. I've made a cannon that uses carbide gas, fun stuff and LOUD. Always fun mucking around old farms. 👍

[@ithacacomments4811]

Lots of dangers on old abandoned properties.

[@jeanneorr7838]

Pump it out to see if it refills

[@ptaylor4923]

With the water table so high it would probably refill no matter what it was originally, but that brings up a good point. The concrete casing and maybe a liner could have been put there to keep the fuel tank dry so it wouldn't corrode with the high water table and the integrity has failed with time.

[@kirstensocialbutterfly6025]

Very interesting find. I would never guessed that myself.

[@MrJeep75]

I love the series, keep it up

[@wncheidi]

1:48 "I figure, how often do you get to use your tetanus shot?" Holy moly, I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything at that moment. I would be wearing it. Best funny of the day. Thank you!

[@cornerstone403]

Best thing Ive heard in months.

[@ep61611]

@ 64 years old (now), I used to get asked all the time if I had any life insurance (which I didn't). My reasoning was "I've never had a need for it." It used to get a laugh or two. (I have since bought some - for obvious reasons.)

[@frenchbulldawg]

That was hilarious.

[@xchief3]

Nephew made a funny in this one!

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Funny!

[@barbaralong1642]

Everyday brings some interesting finds.

[@belleange590]

Well that was interesting. I had no idea it was for kerosene storage. First time I've heard about that.

[@TheGrannydeb56]

Too shallow for a well, but could be a cistern. The top part would change depth depending on amounts of rain.

[@GodsBarnChurch]

Excellent process but I want to give an alternative explanation possible but not probable. It does fit the idea of a anaerobic digester. In fact you could easily turn into one. Tank with sewage, sealed by a heavy object. It prevents oxygen. Anaerobic starts as it produces methane, the lid will float. If one was to look out their window they would see it floating and turn on a gas burner heater and it will provide flame. Depending on the size and the amount of incoming you could heat your house until the seal goes down then depending upon how many people use your bathroom the seal will float turn on the burner

[@henriettadenzig5023]

Good.morning robert and everyone.hope your having a pleasant safe day

[@davevillaire2990]

Looks like a cistern, I have one just outside my early 1900's house covered with a cast iron manhole type cover. there is a pipe that comes thru the basement wall in the laundry area from it I assume since the actual cistern has been filled primarily with furnace ash at sometime in the past.

[@timothyrussell4010]

ya like alot of your followers and me said you make your videos very interesting and entertaining what i like about you same as i really appreciate ancient artifacs what i would like tosee is inside the house you haent made a video of that and we all know tthe house is 140 years old please show the inside you are greatly appreciated

[@joharmon2148]

The things you are finding are so cool. This I have no idea what it could be and can't wait to see if you figure it out

[@jeffreymiller8132]

Hello Robert, Blue and Annie. You sure look all dressed up and dandy. Looks like you stopped by on your way to church. We never was dressed up to do chores on our farm growing up. Don't let mean and rude comments change you. Those creeps probably never get their hands dirty doing real work. Love your videos. Jeep up the great work on the farm. 👍

[@mcwatersd]

Good detective work there. I guess they would have needed storage for kerosene etc as that is more than likely what fueled lamps , heaters etc. Can't wait to see what else you dig up er or find.. Keep Safe ❤Keep Well ❤

[@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG]

Exactly. After this was finished filming I talked to someone else that told me these are somewhat common in the area.

[@williamkeith8944]

@@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG back in the day they used to call this coal oil

[@yarnhappykim9294]

The crazy things you find on an old farm is amazing and awesome and I hope you find out what it is

[@danielnickerson5561]

It's an old pump station with the fuel tank! The pump and actuall station is gone but the tank and the underground stuff is still there!

[@skyhigh6]

I think if you dig down, you'll find a larger tank. You might try pumping out the water and see if there is a tank attached. I haven't seen one like the one you have uncovered.

[@Suz9006]

Old fuel oil tank.

[@pmichael73]

This is what's going to happen in 500 years when people find old nuclear waste containers. . . . .

[@timothyhopkins6960]

The house is starting to revile itself more and more. It has very elegant proportions . Hope you find what the hole is soon .

[@cathyhanley8658]

Revile or reveal? 😉

[@weird1600]

This is likely a cistern something that they used for water storage for gardening and such

[@lindabishop-surbeck2575]

I think Grandpa put it there! Put, it’s fun to figure these things out. And in the Central area of NY State our cistern was in our basement growing up on the dairy farm. We had to order water to be brought in but, for the barn we had spring water hooked up.

[@reneestaples4963]

I am thinking a cistern too. My grandparents had one on their farm , plus I have seen others as well on old farms.

[@flavaflav7769]

luv this stuff!!! keep em' coming!!!

[@shellydehart8217]

Oh how cool is that. Who knows what u’ll find next. Hey, the other Robert might be right😊👍♥️

[@cleasonleasure4832]

Old railyard used to use underground tanks and it looks similar to that for diesel storage

[@evelynspringfield8097]

I used to stay with a woman many, many years ago when I was little and she had chicken houses. I remember her throwing dead chickens in a tank in the ground that looked similar to that. It didn't have water in it and it wasn't that close to the house. That was my first thought. Lol. Maybe a grey water catch from the kitchen to water the garden when well went low?

[@Dav3Campb3ll]

I seen the title and thought about the shells he found beside the shed

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

LOL i thought same when i saw title

[@ptaylor4923]

Guess that's why the other Robert mentioned a missile silo. So obviously we haven't found that yet and there's more to look forward to!

[@tashasmith6179]

Or the rifle cylinder thing-a-bob with all the holes in it lol

[@ptaylor4923]

@@tashasmith6179 😅😂🤣 Shell casing for a recoiless rifle. The holes are part of why there little recoil. They allow the gases to off vent so the rifle doesn't kick back on the operator, which is necessary, cause it's a big gun. 😉

[@jamey48]

It's clearly, without a doubt, a thing in the ground. But very interesting...

[@ptaylor4923]

😅😂🤣 You're awesome!

[@PatriotAcresinTexas]

-WHAT?!?!? You just cut that tree down by those windows, and it's grown back already? LOL Those darn vines ARE invasive! LOL (am I the only one who's noticed that?) Stay safe!

[@Carolbearce]

The first of many fun mysteries on that farm I’m thinking.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thanks for sharing. I hope you figure out what it is.

[@bonnielayfield1406]

Very interesting. Keep up the good work.👍

[@001desertrat3]

It's a STOVE OIL TANK ! Stove Oil was used for both Heating & Cooking . I have a Stove Oil Heater in my house , but I cook with Propane .

[@davidmckinney6577]

I like that old house it has character for sure 😁 it's neat

[@robscott.scootdawg]

Was doing other things while listening and looking when possible at this video. Others may have posted what i’m posting, but here are my thoughts. First, the contents of this underground tank, or whatever it is, was not petroleum based. Water that has been tainted by oil or gas has a film of swirling colors on the surface. Second, I’m thinking the weighted bar on top is a pressure relief valve. I’d handle this tank with extreme caution until I knew what I’m dealing with. You have no idea what lurks beneath the water. A sudden release of a pressurized compartment, even a small one, could prove deadly. Third, you may be dealing with a hazardous material. I would consider getting some expert advice.

[@1806StoneHouse]

I love digging random things up 🤣😂

[@ithacacomments4811]

My Dad and Grandpa would dig holes on the farm. Junk pit. Once that pit was filled and covered... they dug another. It was a very common thing for farmers to do way back. Out of sight. Out of mind.

[@part_time_fishing]

Let's keep count on how many times we were wrong on what we thought it was!!! 🤣

[@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG]

Right!

[@sharonnorvell6060]

Wow...how interesting. I didn't know there was such a thing as a fuel storage underground for household purposes. Really enjoying your journey on the old Byrd Farm. What's next?

[@Hope-fv3kf]

" I figured, how often do you get to use your tetanus shot?", ' I use it all the time out here!"

[@cclyon]

That's why I keep mine up to date!

[@steveclark4291]

Their good for 10 years or that is what I was told by my doctor the last time I stepped on a rusty old nail putting up through the sole of my steel toed boot ! Been looking for a pair Paratrooper boots as I've been told they have a steel plate in the sole of them !

[@debbybell9612]

gas tank for the old gas lights. my house was built in 1884. there is one here

[@Dottie31778]

Im 70. My grannies house had a "separate" small septic type tank near her kitchen it was not attached to the bathroom septic

[@gotcexplorewithalbee8574]

Neat storage idea for way back then!!!!

[@s.p.q.rreborn2080]

Bean sprout garden to make delicious chicken fried rice. A place to store bird seed?

[@smurph4959]

Wow I never would've guessed that! I didn't even know that was a thing!

[@P.B.Theriver]

If its not a cistern then its got to be a brothern.

[@cclyon]

The door is over there - - - >

[@JayLand1973]

Love this channel

[@leanathon]

Could it be a cistern? My parents had one at there home and they weren’t very deep.