What started as a simple yard project turned into an unexpected journey through time. While digging up a stubborn patch of grass, my shovel struck something solid. At first, I thought it was just a rock, but as I cleared the dirt, I uncovered a tall granite post with a peculiar hole in it.
Living in a house from 1799, I knew this wasn’t just any old stone. The hole was perfectly round—made to hold a metal ring. Then it clicked: this was a hitching post, a relic from the days when our home was a tavern and doctor’s office. Travelers would have tied their horses here before stepping inside.
Excited, I kept digging and soon found a ring of stones surrounding the post. It wasn’t just a hitching post—it was part of a watering trough for horses. I could almost picture the scene: a dusty traveler dismounting, securing his horse, and heading inside for a drink or treatment.
Beneath the dirt, I discovered rusted metal fragments and a solid brick foundation. This wasn’t some hastily built structure—it was made to endure. And it had, hidden just inches below the surface for centuries.
Most people find junk in their yards, but I had uncovered a tangible connection to the past. There was no way I could ignore it. Instead, I decided to restore it, maybe even mark it with a small sign to honor its history.
It’s humbling to think how close we walk to the past every day without realizing it. That hitching post is staying right where I found it—a silent reminder of the lives that once passed through this place.
