DEL MAR — Antique treasure prospectors would find a wealth of ancient memorabilia at two now-covered dumps in the Surfside City and Solbeach. However, it’s not recommended that folks begin digging at possible sites.

There was a much used dump on Crest Way in the Surfside village that was a trash depository for all the residents. Bottle collectors would find a wealth of liquor containers and other treasures buried there. It would be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the dump which could now be buried beneath Crest Way road.

The Solbeach dump was on Highland Drive west of San Dieguito County Park (which did not exist at that time) and in the vicinity of Lomas Santa Fe Executive Golf Course. Rancho Santa Fe residents who lived on the western boundary had a perfect view of it.

Buried there among other households is an ice box that was abandoned when Kelvinator brand refrigerators replaced the use of ice boxes. These required a block of ice to keep foods cool. Ice usually lasted for a week. When there was the need for a refill, a yellow card with the word “ice” printed in black letters was placed in the window where it was visible from the street. An ice man made his rounds on a certain date in his ice truck. The cost for a block amounted to pocket change..

Also buried in the debris is a perfectly good Victrola and some records that were no longer needed when radios came into fashion.

Saturday afternoon dump runs were a popular event for Ken Reiley, Joe Rafferty and a couple of their neighborhood cohorts in the Surfside village. Sometimes there was only one sack of refuse to take to the dump among all of the entourage.

The return trip was always through Eden Gardens where a stop was made to quaff a few bottles of suds at Guillermo Rincon’s Blue Bird pool hall and restaurant before embarking on the long journey home. It made the day for Rincon. He was happy to welcome the Americanos because they paid cash and never asked for credit.