Anyone know what this is?

[therat]

I found this about 6 inches below the surface. It appears to be made of copper. The larger horseshoe is approx. 4" by 3 1/2" and has three small feet on the back. It kind of reminds me of a trivet. It is marked 28 Fowler House. The smaller one is about 2 1/4" by 1 7/8" inches in size. It is marked 25 Holland House. From checking local history I was able to find there was a Fowler House in town around 1856 to 1861 but there is no mention of a Holland House in this area. From what I was able to see on Google maps the address of the Fowler House may have been #28. A friend contacted the local historian and was told they may have something to do with the livery stable the Fowler house had. I have been unable to find any information regarding livery tags or anything else that these may have been used for. The area I live in ( Port Jervis, NY ) had the Delaware and Hudson Canal and the Erie Railroad going through it. Any help in identifying this would be greatly appreciated.

 

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[Monty]

I think it has something to do with a set of scales. Monty

 

[Mackaydon]

Have you asked the folks over at the Minisink Valley Historical Society (MVHS) headquarters, located at 125-133 West Main Street in Port Jervis, New York (845) 856-2375?

 

[therat]

A friend contacted one of the local historians who thinks it had something to do with the livery stables at the Fowler House but there is no mention of a Holland House in this town. I will contact the historical society to get thier input. Thanks for the #

 

[DCMatt]

This is a cool piece. Horse shoe shapes might imply livery/stable. But I think it's sort of elaborate for a livery tag. Of course I'm certainly NOT an expert.

Fowler House was built in 1855. It cost $50,000 to build so it must have really been something! Changed to Mitchell Inn around 1920. Demolished in the 1940's.

I wonder if this piece had something to do with the room numbering or naming in Fowler House. Steamships of the time had "state" rooms. Maybe the hotel had "country" rooms (or houses in this case... Holland House, Germany House, France House...) Who knows?!


DCMatt

 

[sndman60]

Could it just be possible this item was a house plate to identify a cottage or much smaller house that was part of the Fowler house? The Fowler house being the main house with a few disconnected cottages for rent or short occupancy. This would have been a great asset to support the railroad and canal activity. This is purely speculation on my part. Good luck.

Gary