Turns out, people really love “shopping” at the dump.
We got lots of responses to our query asking folks what’s the coolest or most useful thing they’ve found at a town dump or transfer station. We received some truly memorable answers, ranging from odd little tchotchkes to entire pieces of furniture, sporting equipment and appliances that only needed a little elbow grease to return to good working order.
Here are some of our favorites.
“A 1964 candlepin bowling trophy from the closed down Bucksport lanes at the Penobscot transfer station.” – Ricky Leighton, Penobscot
“2004 Cannondale mountain bike! Back tire was tacoed. The only thing that needed to be replaced.” – Brad Landry, Rome
“A swing bench. A little wood repair and a coat of paint and it has a new home on our dock.” – Karen Gomes, Monson
“As a grandmother, I always check the Cape Elizabeth swap shop for things for my grandchildren. I have found a high chair, a pack and play, books and numerous toys. I have also found Waterford crystal decanters, candlesticks, and vases! I find books to read every week. I always bring things to drop off, and I usually leave with something useful. The Cape Elizabeth swap shop is a treasure.” – Mary Ann Lynch, Cape Elizabeth
“I am frequently at the Pine Tree Transfer station in Hermon for work, and among the many interesting things I have found was a copy of Burt Reynolds’ autobiography, “My Life,” on tape as read by The Bandit himself. The classiest find, thus far.” – Zach Robbins, Bangor
“I found two 120-watt solar panels at the Camden transfer station.” – Nate Marvin, Jackson
“In our town transfer station swap shed, I picked up a nice quality, but worn out, tweed sports coat to use for making a scarecrow for the garden. While showing it off to my wife when I got home, I discovered what I thought were a couple of magic markers in one of the pockets. They were instead plastic tubes with individually packaged marijuana cigarettes. This is the only marijuana I have ever owned in 70 years… and I got it at the dump.” – Lachlan Titus, Vassalboro
“Growing up in the Bath area in the 1960s, one of my neighbors worked for a garbage collector. He used to drive a stake bed truck around the area, picking up people’s garbage and taking it to what was called the Bath dump in North Bath. On one of his many trips he brought home a few cardboard boxes which we neighborhood kids went through. I remember one box contained numerous military hats from World War II, which seemed like a gold mine at the time. Most of the hats were European, mainly Germany, Russia and England. All of us ended up with a hat of our choosing. When my parents moved to their new home all of these items were missing. Sadly, a lot of World War II history is now missing.” – Harry Larrabee, Ellsworth
“My coolest dump find was a kayak. The couple who threw it away said the seat was broken. When I inspected the seat I found one of the adjusting straps was unsnapped.” – David Rossi
“My house in Exeter was built in 1870 and we have the dump to prove it! We have found old copper rimmed glasses, inkwells, a silver baby cup with BABY embossed on it, a copper compact, enamelware, medicine jars, a whole assortment of containers and chamber pots, old tools, old leather shoes/boots. You name it, we have probably found it. It’s fun and it lets you glimpse into how people thrived on a farm back in the day.” – Susan Goetze, Exeter
“Three new wood chairs in flawless condition. The fourth in the set was badly broken, so all four were sent to the dump.” – Helen Tupper, Harspwell
“Over the years there have been many finds both useful and fun, but the one that stands out the most is a Brailler or Braille typewriter. It took a little study to find out what we had. My wife and her daughter actually spotted it and we brought it home. Although I had no idea how it works it appeared to be in very good condition. We sent it to the American Association for the blind so hopefully it is being used by someone who needs it.” – David Ballard
‘By far the coolest thing I ever found at the dump was an autoharp. This was at the Vinalhaven ‘swap shoppe.’ It was a little grimy, but had all the strings and, with a little cleaning and tuning, sounded good.” – Jeannie Tabor, Ripley
“I went to the Brewer dump to help my husband unload. I spotted an old wooden window screen, probably from an old basement window. It had four sections to it and was covered with metal wiring. My husband said, ‘Why would you want that thing?’ I could just picture it with the wiring taken off, the wood cleaned and sanded down, and painted black. Just what we did! We hung it on the wall in the living room with a wreath in the center. There it has been for the past couple of years. I love it!” – Sue Vernon, Brewer
“Moose, bears, and a totally intact acoustic guitar… except for a single broken string.” – Steve Philbrick, Orono
“I work at the dump in the Moosehead area and the amount of treasures I find is wild. I got a heck of a nice pair of studded snow tires last year that are going on my daughter’s car this winter!” – Leigh Burns, Greenville
“A $700 ice cream maker.” – Molly Cole Hutchins, Southport
“Power tools, lawn mowers, hydraulic press to name a few. All needed a little tinkering to be brought back to life.” – Stephen Adams, Tenants Harbor
“Two matching recliners (like new). Four great cats.” – A.Z. Beasley
