Members of the Wood County Metal Detecting Club spent the first two Saturday mornings of October searching the grounds of Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman after the city council approved limited metal detecting in the park.

The council approved an ordinance change allowing the club to search the park on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 only. Metal detecting had previously been prohibited.

City Administrator Alan Gilbert told the council the activity would be regulated to prevent damage to the park grounds. Club members worked with the city to obtain a special-use permit for the two days.

During Saturday’s search, members were careful to replace the grass and soil after digging, particularly around the Honeymoon Cottage and museum.

Club member Don Mayborn said the group hopes to become more involved in the community and would like to work with other cities to search historic sites and remove metal debris from public areas.

The club has about 25 to 30 members, many of whom are interested in local history. Saturday’s search turned up rusty nails, pieces of metal, coins and other items buried around the park. Members collected sharp metal objects and other debris that could pose a danger to children playing in the area.

Among the coins found were pennies, nickels and a dime dated 2007. Members also found a square nail they believed dated to the 1800s. Members found buried bricks in parts of the park that they said may have come from the demolition of the old Wood County courthouse.

Several longtime metal detectorists commented on how clean the park was, saying they had expected to find more trash. They credited city employees for maintaining the grounds.

Mayborn said the club would like to continue working with local communities on similar projects. He is also interested in working with Quitman ISD to share historical items and information with students studying Texas history.

Club members recently searched the site of an old grocery store believed to have been demolished in the 1940s. Items found there included two rings, an old dip pen, a Woodmen of the World token and tokens believed to have come from the store.

The Wood County Metal Detecting Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the library in Quitman. The group welcomes anyone interested in metal detecting or local history.