i found this really great key on the ground today. its old and i have no idea what it might unlock. the top, isn't shaped like my boring house key which has that distinct 80's shape and for some reason makes me think of datsons. it has a clover feel to its shape and has decorative dots and swirls. on one side it reads
independent
lock co
1004
fitchburg, mass
the 1004 part is what really has my imagination working. is it an address? but whats the street name? it couldn't be a year because well... for so so many reasons. its not like i had it excavated, it was on the sidewalk of parnassus. it does however have a lovely brassy color. being the good scientist that i am, i soaked the key in 70% ethanol, followed by a bleach/hydrochlorite mixture and water. i did my work and listened to my podcasts but my mind kept on drifting back to the key. from movies like skeleton key (i know, ridiculous) to wondering if it was a house key why someone would have a massachusetts key in california, i mean its not like key making is some lost art. but on the flipside this fitchburg is one fine looking key, precious and inviting.
so instead of imagining i took to google and did some research. (typical)
the independent lock co was in fitchburg, mass from 1930 to 1960, at 35 daniels street. it was bankrupt by 1970 and bought by A. Fish
the number 1004, is the model number, which is sadly obvious and not so exciting. a model 1054 was taken and listed in a really really long list of items of personal property taken inventory by the FBI in the US supreme court case, kremen vs. united states.
and lastly that this lock company must have been pretty fancy because i found at least four different obituaries that list it as a place of employment.
i think i'll turn my 38+ year old key into a necklace.
on a totally different note. ursula k le guin thinks you should read doctor zhivago.
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24 comments:
I found a key this weekend in the backyard of our home (built in the 1920s). I found the "ILCO" logo on this fancy little key and so I've been doing research on the company this morning. Do you have any other background on this company or know a good site to find some??
yesterday i was walking our dog with my aunt when i saw a key on a ground. i ususally collect old stuff like this so i picked it up and put it in my pocket. to avoid getting over excited i waited a day before researching. i was amazed to find that other people in various places had also found these. im in texas and im curious as to how it would get from way up north. my key number is 1119. i think maybe its a house number or something. if u think u can help me leave a followup comment and il get back to u asap
Weird. I just found a key while gardening in front of our 1912 Portland, Oregon house. Cleaned it up, got out the magnifying glass, and sure enough...Independent Lock Co. Fitchburg, Ma. USA. My number is 1011. A fine old key by the looks of it, but the lock it fits is long gone. There's some poetry to that. Thanks for your blog.
hey i have a better story.A few years ago i was smoken in my building in new york city and i was messing with the department of building sign.the sign says "the department of building of new york 204198"i guess that sign was put up when the bulding was first built well anyways i was messing with the sign and i broke it and from behind the sign a key fell out so i keeped it as a lucky key. its the same company of the that u guys found but the number on the key is cx2184 email me if u know something about this key bronxsuc@yahoo.com
I found 2 Independant lock Co. keys attached to an odd looking lock. Another key with the name Hughes stamped on it was in the lock. One of the Independent Locks have the number 45 on it. They were in my father's things along with medals from Pacific Military Academy which he attended. He grew up in Hollywood and Santa Monica. I can't imagine what the keys go to. I thought maybe a locker?
I, too, have a key from the Independent Lock Co., but I didn't find mine, I bought it.
There is a seller on Etsy.com who sells these keys—she believes that hers are old hotel keys because they have what appears to be a room number on them. She calls her keys Guardian Angel Keys, and she attaches an angel to one side of the key. Pretty neat! The key I have is very plain looking. When I hold it, it feels amazing!
My key's number from the company is 1016 and there's an N below the number. I'm presently trying to find out how old it might be.
Sylvie
i too found a keyILCO key# 1079,curious to find out date and what it's to. found metal detecting on a beach in Gloucester ma. thanks joe sawyer20@msn.com
I have independent lock company key and the number is 1054 like the FBI case you mentioned. I'll have to do some more research!
Independent Lock Co (ILCO) made padlocks and the such.
I have both a key and padlock that I use regularly, which were previously owned by my grandfather.
Wild! I was going through a cookie tin from my dad's estate - there was a key from the Independent Lock Co. (Fitchburg, Mass), fancy scrollwork and all. The number is 1001. Below the number it says EN.
I got a key from my church that was a part of this whole seminar I had gone to. I was curious about what type of history was involved in this key, so I started research. That is how I stumbled upon your blog. My key is 1011. Thanks for the info
i found a 2 locks from ILCO IN MY BACKYARD WITH A METAL DETECTOR. ONE HAS HAS THE WORD HARDENED ON THE LOCK. THEY ARE HEAVY
Hi i found one of these keys in the woods whilst out metal detecting number 1026 and i,m in the essex, UK
I just found a key #414 in my back yard. My house was built in 1926 and the property was used as farmland previously. This is cool!
Found mine yesterday in my yard with the Ace-350 Metal Detector. It was down 6" with two other keys, a Yale-Towne, and a Reading Mfg Co.key. The ring was long gone that held them together. My ILCO is No.1010 with a 0 centered over the top of the numbers, Cool key!I think they were lost back in the 60's at least.
I purchased a key as a necklace and mine is ILCO no. 1001 EN
i wonder what it could mean :)
Do you still have this key? I have the same number.
I have a key that came with a nightstand/end table I bought at a thrift store. The # is L8896.
I have a key that came with a nightstand/end table I bought at a thrift store. The # is L8896.
I have an Independent lock key with the number 1001 EN stamped on it. The key is from my mother's estate. There was a second key with it not as ornanate from ILGO with the number 1019. I'm wondering if these were safe deposit keys from the 50's or 60's? The keys are historical and hold an air of mystery.
I found my key years ago, but I just stumbled upon it after my move. Mine is also an Independent Lock Co. Key and the number is A251-25 and right beneath it is the letter 'V'..
Hi today I found a key mine looks like it's copper front reads Independent lock Co in a circle it has ilco above circle is some kind of decoration and the back around key hole reads fitchburg mass on left side in a circle SK1 Any ideas
Found a key by this company the letters on one side have almost been rubbed off. Its definitely weathered as I found outside. From what I hear the railroad came through this property back in the day. My key has 1022 B in the center and the other side has a 3 on it. I Feel like I may have washed some design that wasnt etched into off but it mat have been mud i don't really know...? I really want to know this keys story. Also I might add I found a small amount of gold flakes n lil nugs on the other side of the camper I was cleaning around.
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