Secret Passageways

[Ethan Bentley]

You assume locks have ever been reliable--if someone wants in, they're gonna get in period; all better security does is delay so that hopefully they'll decide the possible take isn't worth the time and risk of getting caught, which gets higher the longer it takes to do the B&E.

Haha, Good Point Diamond Back, I thought someone might say that. We're only "led to believe" they are reliable but when you see someone with the knack at work, it makes you think, almost scary really.

I totally agree about the deterrent, to stop the opportunist. If it's too difficult they'll move on.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I just saw this and thought it was rather neat.

 

[FinalVestige79]

perfect for that in-home speakeasy lol.

 

[JJWord]

I've seen that site too. My only issue is, if I'm going to be investing that much money I personally wouldn't want it to rely on electricity.

 

[FinalVestige79]

I can see the reason for that, but on the upside you can ask them to make them custom the old fashioned way, no electricity involved...and its cheaper that way. Just gotta ask.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

You assume locks have ever been reliable--if someone wants in, they're gonna get in period; all better security does is delay so that hopefully they'll decide the possible take isn't worth the time and risk of getting caught, which gets higher the longer it takes to do the B&E.

too true. all locks do is keep honest people honest.

 

[Diamondback]

too true. all locks do is keep honest people honest.

Not quite--hopefully the noise will tell you somebody's trying to get in, buying you a little time to get 911 called, your family to a safe-room and your home-defense tools ready.

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Now playing: Jerry Goldsmith - MacArthur - Main Title
via FoxyTunes

 

[Cricket]

I think when my husband and I build our dream house, I want the Clue house plan. lol Complete with secret passageways. As a child, I always loved taking the secret passageways in the game, and I always dreamed about having a couple when I had my own house. Just minus the murder plot however.

 

[GeniusInTheLamp]

My 4th-grade teacher lived in a house just blocks from my school that was built in the 1840's. There was a secret room beneath the staircase that was used for the Underground Railroad. I remember reading about a couple of other houses in my hometown that also had hidden areas to temporarily house runaway slaves.

 

[Lady Jessica]

I think when my husband and I build our dream house, I want the Clue house plan. lol Complete with secret passageways. As a child, I always loved taking the secret passageways in the game, and I always dreamed about having a couple when I had my own house. Just minus the murder plot however.

Oh! I want one too! That would be so neat. I can just imagine it! It'd be very large. Would you want the original Clue house or the one with all the extra rooms/characters? Like Miss Peach, and the stables?

 

[FinalVestige79]

I've recently been thinking about this...and have drawn up rough blue prints. I'll scan them and post them when i feel they are satisfactory, I would like some opinions.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Granada Guy, I'll forward to it.

For me to Cluedo (Clue) is one of my earliest memories of secret passage ways, that and King's Quest.

 

[Lincsong]

A couple years ago, here in town there was an old farm house on close to an acre of land. Some developer bought the land and wanted to build a couple houses there. The City demanded that the old house not be demolished, they gave it to one other their hacks who turned around and sold it for $700,000. Well anyway, when the hack was painting the house he came across a hidden stairway that went to a closed off area of the attic. In this room were a billlards table, chairs, booze and mattresses. He claimed it was a speakeasy, I think brothel.

 

[FinalVestige79]

A couple years ago, here in town there was an old farm house on close to an acre of land. Some developer bought the land and wanted to build a couple houses there. The City demanded that the old house not be demolished, they gave it to one other their hacks who turned around and sold it for $700,000. Well anyway, when the hack was painting the house he came across a hidden stairway that went to a closed off area of the attic. In this room were a billlards table, chairs, booze and mattresses. He claimed it was a speakeasy, I think brothel.

Brothel more likely. Were any pictures taken? That would be interesting to see!

 

[MattJH]

I've been completely fascinated with this sort of stuff ever since I was a kid and realized that if you moved Pac-Man off the side of the screen, he'd reappear on the other. Seriously!

A friend of mine owns a house in a Quaker community just outside of Philadelphia. A few years back, he threw a house party. My girlfriend got there before me and left me a voicemail that said "I'll be in the secret room when you get here." Sure enough, when I arrived, my girlfriend was nowhere in sight. After the attendees watched amused as I pushed and pulled everything I could find, the owner kindly showed me a hidden doorknob located behind some books on a bookshelf. This was literally built just like any other door with a doorknob, except it was a bookcase and the books themselves hid the doorknob. I thought it was a simple and effective idea.

Behind the door was his sound-proofed practice space for his band. At the time, even his own children didn't know that it was there. It had a full practice space, a powder room, and a kegerator built into one of the walls, so you could pour yourself a draft beer from the tap poking out behind the drumset.

It. was. awesome.

 

[FinalVestige79]

For those interested in the history of secret passageways...

This is a really great book written in the 1920s I believe. The way Fea writes it is almost comical at times and you get the personal histories of people involved. And its all about secret passageways in Britain, so I thought for those UK members you might find it interesting.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13918/13918-h/13918-h.htm

This book is also available in librivox recording, which is a lot easier if you don't have the time to read it, and the narrators voice is kind of relaxing.

http://librivox.org/secret-chambers-and-hiding-places-by-allan-fea/

 

[Ethan Bentley]

How about a revolving bookcase or panel when you pull down a wall fixture, a lamp perhaps?

All rather Scooby Doo.

 

[John in Covina]

Put ze candle beck!

 

[Lincsong]

Brothel more likely. Were any pictures taken? That would be interesting to see!

No pictures were taken. Too bad though.