100-Year-Old Journal Discovered by Philadelphia Contractors—You Won’t Believe What They Did with It

100-Year-Old Journal Discovered by Philadelphia Contractors—You Won’t Believe What They Did with It

Contractors remodeling kitchens and baths in the Philadelphia area find all sorts of things in the walls and floors of old homes. A few weeks ago, we were helping a family in Roxborough update their space for the future. One of our technicians was pulling up some old tile in the kitchen when he spotted something unusual between the floor joists.

What he found hadn’t been seen in over a century. Like I said, we find all sorts of old items in buildings, but this was different. It was a plumber’s journal and ledger, and it was in amazing condition.

The 100-year-old journal was remarkably well preserved

Plumber’s Journal a Window to the Past

The first entry in the journal was dated March 1, 1908. Flipping to any page, there were carefully kept records of materials, services, and clients. Although the prices have certainly changed—this plumber hardly charged more than $40 for any service—attention to detail is something successful craftsman will always need.

The meticulous notes and beauty of the journal struck a chord with the technician that found it. Because dRemodeling doesn’t use subcontractors, there was no chance that he was going to snatch this treasure for himself. He called me up, and later, when I saw where he’d pulled the journal from, everything made sense.

A close-up of notes from a remodeling job that took place before World War I.

More than 100 years ago, this plumber made some repairs to the building we were working in. He probably had to open up the floor to get to the metal piping. For whatever reason, he set his journal down between the exposed floor joists for a moment. But he forgot, and the floor went back over the joists, sealing the journal like a time-capsule.

Returning the Journal to Its Rightful Place

We immediately recognized the value in such a special item, and set about trying to find any descendants of the man who was listed as the owner. Putting the internet and common sense to good use, we located likely relative in the same Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

A page from a plumber’s ledger dRemodeling discovered in a home in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

We called him up and he was shocked. He knew the name immediately. The journal belonged to his great-great-grandfather. Later that day, we stopped by his home to deliver the journal after it had been hidden for more than a century. He was surprised, grateful, and in possession of a new piece of family history.

A plumber drew x’s through jobs completed more than a century ago

Experience Remodeling Kitchens and Bathrooms in Old Homes

In a city as old and historic as Philadelphia, contractors are likely to run into many any number of surprises. Sometimes, its timeless treasure, like the plumber’s journal.

When it comes to remodeling old homes, though, some surprises are a lot less fun. Lifting up a floor or tearing down a wall, contractors may find evidence that past builders took shortcuts, or that the damage from weather is much worse than expected. That’s why having decades of experience with old construction is so important.

Flipping through a 100-year-old plumber’s journal discovered in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

Working with dRemodeling, you can rest assured that we’ve seen it all. We know what to expect because we know how older homes were put together. Should issues arise, we know how to respond. Our familiarity with permitting and restrictions involved with historic districts allow us to avoid delays in project timelines.

In short, we are committed to keeping the buildings in our city safe without losing touch with the past. Our experience and attention to detail is why dRemodeling has achieved and maintained the highest rating of any contractor who specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Take a look through our portfolio or get in touch with us today, and take the first steps toward giving you and your family the living space you deserve. Who knows what we will find in your walls.

What’s the wildest thing you have uncovered during a remodel? Leave a comment below and share your story.