Chula Vista Antique Keys
During the late 1800s, gold rush fever hit the area that is now Chula Vista, California. Because of the constant danger associated with the gold rush, the pioneers discovered that they would need a way to protect their property.
As pioneers made their way to settlement, they realized that locks and keys were the only way to try to protect their property while mining for gold. Once the pioneers settled, locksmiths began to charge top dollar for lock and key sets. Most pioneers were eager to pay the high price to protect their homes and belongings.
Miniature skeleton keys are the most common antique key of this region. They were small enough for pioneers to hide in their shoes or under clothing. The post office and outpost both used miniature skeleton key locksets.
Many homes built prior to 1900 still have antique locks on select interior doors. Homebuyers now realize it is important to preserve the historical look and aesthetic value of these homes.
Antique dealers in the Chula Vista area usually sell furniture and knick-knacks that still have the original lock, and sometimes the original key. When the original key isn’t available, antique collectors usually pay top dollar to have a replica key fashioned to match the lock.
Some locksmiths in the Chula Vista area can create replica keys and restore worn keys. Keys in serious condition may have to be re-minted. In any event, only specially trained and very experienced locksmiths and possibly antique restoration specialists should be allowed to work on the locksets.
You may find antique keys services in the following locations:
- Alabama: Birmingham, Montgomery
- Alaska: Anchorage
- Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Scottsdale
- California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Long Beach, Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Modesto, Fremont, Glendale
- Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora
- District of Columbia: Washington
- Florida: Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Hialeah
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Hawaii: Honolulu
- Illinois: Chicago
- Indiana: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne
- Kansas: Wichita
- Kentucky: Louisvillea, Lexington
- Louisiana: Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport
- Maryland: Baltimore
- Massachusetts: Boston
- Michigan: Detroit
- Minnesota: Minneapolis, St. Paul
- Missouri: Kansas City, St. Louis
- Nebraska: Omaha, Lincoln
- Nevada: Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno
- New Jersey: Newark, Jersey City
- New Mexico: Albuquerque
- New York: New York City (Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens), Buffalo, Rochester
- North Carolina: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham
- Ohio: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
- Oregon: Portland
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
- Tennessee: Memphis, Nashville
- Texas: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Garland, Laredo, Lubbock
- Virginia: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington
- Washington: Seattle
- Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Madison

