how do I find out how old my house is?

[Chris142]

My dad bought this place in 1975. We were told that it started out as a homestead cabin. I have records of the well which was drilled in 65 and dates on toilets from 1949 and the date of the kitchen sink from 1958. I'm sure it has been remodeled at least once and had rooms added and things moved. I think its much older than my parents think. The county recorders office only shows my dad on the Taxes.

Our trees are taller than any other trees in the neighborhoods. I'm thinking that the house maybe one of the first ones here.

I have even bought old movies that were filmed here in the 40's and 50's looking for the house of a cabin

 

[mechanicx]

I don't know how to find the answer if the county doesn't have the records of when the house was built. I'd guess the house is probably as old as the toilet and sink so late 40's or early 50's, but the house could've been built before the toilets were or even way after.

It's kind interesting the toilet and sink is older than the well unless it was not the first well drilled. From what you've said I'm guessing the cabin was built in the 40's. It would be interesting to know the real history of the lot and cabin.

 

[NHGUY]

Poke holes in the walls(lol),I have seen where people used to use newspapers for insulation and backing for plaster.Usually newspapers are dated.Some of the stuff that people do...

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Do you have an abstract of title? It should have a condensed history of the property. If you don't, an abstractor should be able to do a title search and prepare an abstract of title for you. It will give you a condensed history of not only the building but the property. A simple title search shouldn't be too expensive.

The abstractor has access to not only the recorders office, but the auditor, assessor and treasurer (or what passes for those offices in your county/area). Each office will have a different history set, some of which may very well be in handwritten format. Usually a property will pass through each office-the assessor sets the values and adds exemptions, the auditor may add credits, and the treasurers office collects the taxes, and each office may work in a different "year".

There may also be records with the board of supervisors (or whatever your county has) if there were ever any splits, consolidations, credits applied for or changes of property class.

 

[volk06]

County assessor website or court house

 

[Smoky14]

Check hardware, cut nails, cross point screws, wiring connectors all were phased in over time and can help with dating. As mentioned news papers left in attics etc are also good indicators.
Smoky

 

[tightwad]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Do you have an abstract of title? It should have a condensed history of the property. If you don't, an abstractor should be able to do a title search and prepare an abstract of title for you. It will give you a condensed history of not only the building but the property. A simple title search shouldn't be too expensive.

The abstractor has access to not only the recorders office, but the auditor, assessor and treasurer (or what passes for those offices in your county/area). Each office will have a different history set, some of which may very well be in handwritten format. Usually a property will pass through each office-the assessor sets the values and adds exemptions, the auditor may add credits, and the treasurers office collects the taxes, and each office may work in a different "year".

There may also be records with the board of supervisors (or whatever your county has) if there were ever any splits, consolidations, credits applied for or changes of property class.

Great info from Pop Rivit!! I would add that some entities began putting records into computers at a specific date in the 80's or 90's and didn't bother to go back in time. You may have to go down to the county office and get a human to help you dig through actual paper records!

 

[Jarlaxle]

Not sure about that state/county, but I THINK my house's completion date is on the deed.

 

[Chris142]

We do have newspaper in the walls for insulation! I'm not gonna tear them down tho lol. I know when I see a house for sale they show the year built. I'm thinking of harasing a realitor

 

[Chris142]

The Realtor was a big help. He shows the house and garage being built in 1958. Then an addition in 1960. Interesting stuff to me. I wonder what it was like out in the desert back then? And how did we end up with a used toilet?

We also own the lot next door and it shows only land. But it has a cabin on it that was either not permitted or built before the county kept records.

 

[eljefino]

Where your toilet is now, does it make sense or is it sort of a closet on the outside wall? For that matter how about the rest of your plumbing, does it look tacked on or routed around studs etc? If it was new construction plumbing it'll look better integrated. Usually the kitchen will share a wall with the bathroom b/c it's easier to plumb. In the old days the bathroom was outside or in some weird willy nilly place. Also see if your hot water pipes look like they were added after the cold ones.

 

[Doog]

If all else fails look in the US census records from 1900,1920,1930 and on to see if your address shows up on anyone's record. But your county records should have a plat map of that area and recordings of title ownership. If not look at the state surveyors office.

 

[Chris142]

Our plumbing is a disaster. It was cobbled together from whatever was available. Some soldered pipe that leads to 3/4 threaded pipe etc. There is no way to turn the water off to repair a fawcet other than draining the water tank.

When we moved here in 1975 the Pine trees in the yard were huge. If the well was drilled in 1965 IMO theres no way that the trees were only 10 yrs old. A fast growing Pine tree grows 2ft a year. This would have made our 60+ ft Pine trees atleast 30 yrs old in 1975.

I'm thinking that...
1. The curant well is the 2nd well drilled on this lot. The first well was used to water the trees and either got sanded or went dry.
2.Since the county did not take records before 1958 that the cabin was here in the 40's and when permits were pulled in 58 that put the house on record.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Where your toilet is now, does it make sense or is it sort of a closet on the outside wall?
The one bathroom is right in the middle of the house and not on the same wall as the kitchen. One the wall behind the toilet in the plaster is a circle( repaired hole?) about 12 inches across. Looks like a hole for a wood buring stove was there @ one time.
BTW the Propane tank is dated 1955.

 

[Cristobal]

Is the first well pipe filled up or capped? I hope so.

I have run across old uncapped wells in the desert hundreds of feet deep. I shudder to think of a kid getting into one.
Around where I live they still talk about Kathryn Anne Fiscus and her horrible death right near where I live.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
Is the first well pipe filled up or capped? I hope so.

It must be since I don't know where it was. I'm only guessing anyway. I don't see how a Pine tree could grow to be 60 ft tall in less than 10 yrs.

 

[donnyj08]

type your address into Zillow.com it will have your homes info on there if its ever been sold.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
type your address into Zillow.com it will have your homes info on there if its ever been sold.
It does not come up. It comes up with a neighbors house thats for sale

 

[tommygunn]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
And how did we end up with a used toilet?

Habitat for Humanity? :X lol seriously though...when my parents had their Maronda home built, we seen it all, they cut so many corners....even my dad was appalled when he saw the house (they are divorced) when he came by...he pointed it out right away, dishwasher and stove were habitat for humanity donations/finds :X Lol....

 

[Chris142]

Anybody know how to make Zillo work? I can only find houses for sale on there. Mines not for sale.