Metal detecting hobby a real find

Lee Houser has a unique hobby. He enjoys metal detecting and seeing what items he can unearth from underground.

He got interested in metal detecting in 1999 when a friend introduced him to the hobby. He then bought a metal detector. The first thing he found was a 1908 Barber half dollar in a neighbors yard under a clothesline.

He currently uses the Minelab Manticore metal detector.

“I didn’t like history class when I was in school. Now I am always looking to find the history of old properties. I love metal detecting yards and properties of old houses and farms. Before the 1900s are the best. Last summer, I was given permission to metal detect the grounds of Johnson College. I found many old coins from the late 1800s to the early 1900s and some jewelry,” he said.

He has found jewelry, coins, buttons and other items. His best find was an 1857 Flying Eagle cent and a Civil War button.

Vanesse Williams had lost a ring. The ring was very important and meant a lot to her.

“I am friends with Lee and his wife. He found the ring after about an hour,” she said. “I was so excited, happy and relieved. He is super at metal detecting.”

“I have had quite a few people contact me to find lost rings and such. I have found quite a few for people and return them. Just last year, I found five rings in the corn pit at Lakeland Orchard and they were returned to owners,” he said.

He offers to bring an extra metal detector along if the homeowner wants to try the hobby. He shows the owner what he has found. Sometimes they like to keep an item but usually let him keep what he has found.

He offered this advice to those beginning metal detecting.

“Don’t get discouraged to find a lot of junk. Every detectorist finds their fair share of it. Always take it with you. And never leave a mess or open holes on peoples land. Respect the land,” Houser said.

Interested in getting your property searched? Contact Lee Houser at his Facebook page Lee Ho or at 570-926-5476.