Shock at Hallway Discovery in Century-Old Home—'Won the Wall Lottery'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
When a homeowner in a 145-year-old house peeled back part of their hallway, they uncovered more than just dust and drywall.
Images of the unexpected discovery—a pair of elegant, hidden archways—were shared in a post on Reddit, where users are marveling at the structure's historical craftsmanship and urging a full restoration.
The post, titled "Found this surprise in our front hallway," was shared on May 21 by Reddit user u/RudeRudyHipton in the subreddit r/CenturyHomes. Since its posting, the entry has garnered 18,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments.
In the post, the user shared images of what appear to be partial remnants of two archways—one framing the front door and another massive arch along an adjacent wall. The structure, long hidden beneath steel siding and layers of renovation, revealed ornate elements of a bygone architectural style.
"I want to restore but it's so much work....Glass is mostly broken or missing. Outside is covered over with steel siding. Half of me wants to cover it back up and pretend I saw nothing," the user wrote in the caption. "House was built in 1880. What should I do???"
The viral reaction to the post underscores a broader trend. Home renovation spending has surged in recent years, particularly among homeowners in the United States.
The median renovation spend climbed from $15,000 in 2020 to $24,000 in 2023, according to a survey of over 32,000 users of the home design website Houzz, which includes more than 17,700 in the U.S. who were actively renovating.
The share of homeowners spending at least $25,000 on renovations jumped from 37 percent in 2020 to 51 percent in 2023, the survey found.
'You Won the Wall Lottery'
The discovery of the two archways in the viral post came in stages, according to the homeowner. "I had no clue. I found the arch around the door a couple years ago when running power out to the porch light. Then I found the giant side arch a week ago," they noted in a follow-up comment.
The home, one of the oldest in the neighborhood, has layers of mystery. "I have checked the old fire maps. One of the oldest houses in the neighborhood. And there used to be a stable where my garage sits now," the poster wrote in another later comment, referencing historic fire insurance maps often used by preservationists to document property changes over time.
Commenters speculated on the architectural origins of the arches, with the original poster conceding that "it has Victorian elements but I wouldn't call it a Victorian house. Who knows, tons of things have been changed over 145 years and many owners."
The user also pointed out a curious detail: "The floor is slightly slanted out in that hallway (purposely) like it was a covered porch originally but then the arched doorway makes no sense unless it was all added after closing everything up."
While the decision to restore the arches remains up in the air, the Reddit community has made its position clear, with several urging the poster to go ahead with the restoration.
"You won the wall lottery! Start up the restoration savings fund," wrote user u/FreidasBoss, and u/SodaPop9639 said: "Restore! Those arched windows would be stunning! Worth the investment."
U/Honoratoo said: "You have been given an amazing gift.... but I understand that it may seem overwhelming right now."
Another, u/stimber, simply questioned: "Why in the hell would someone cover that up?"
The emotional resonance of the find wasn't lost on others. "The way my jaw dropped. I would have to just accept the pain and restore them," commented u/deadinside_rn.
Another user, u/Serene_FireFly, speculated on further hidden treasures, writing: "I bet that's not the only treasure hiding under all that siding."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.
A stock image of a couple standing by an open door, looking at the windows of an empty home.
A stock image of a couple standing by an open door, looking at the windows of an empty home.
Getty
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