Garden rocks and other treasures

Steve Wasko, our builder, knew that I wanted the crew to save any interesting rocks they found on our site. Granted, we didn’t anticipate a pile of boulders to be located inside the house…

I was pleased and touched that they separated the nice rocks from the concrete chunks and rubble, interpreting their efforts as a clear example of caring about our needs and wishes. Matt imagined them all rejoicing because my request meant they didn’t have to move the heavy objects too far from the exit; the concrete and other waste needs to be carried up the steps and disposed of off site.

The crew also put aside two brown bottles they found while making way for the structural cinder block walls in the walk-out basement.

The stamp on both reads: “Federal law forbids sale or reuse of this bottle,” which according to a bottle dating site indicates they are machine-made liquor bottles sold in the U.S. between 1935 and 1964. We guess that the first addition was put on this house during the late 50s, and the time period for these bottles provides further confirmation.

The bottom of the rectangular bottle says:

3

Bloch Brothers (Distillers) LTD
Glasgow Scotland
A.G.W.

The Scotland Whisky and Distilleries site explained: “The Bloch brothers sold both distilleries to Hiram Walker in 1954.”

The round 4/5 quart bottle had something in common aside from contents. The bottom of the bottle reads:

Bottled by Hiram Walker & Sons
Made in Canada
Walkerville

(In 1856, the American whiskey mogul himself developed
this company town in Ontario; think “Canadian Club.”)

Canada

11 l ◊ • 4

Limited Bottle

Matt and I immediately added these treasures to our Casa de Roo museum and wondered whether the previous owner of this home-made house had a secret drinking problem that necessitated hiding his empties.