ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. – A construction worker found no cash but lots of history after stumbling on a stash of wallets hidden for 50 years.

The employee, Shawn Pelow, found the wallets while clearing a path for wiring at the new Railroad Street Mall.

The eight wallets ranged from inexpensive vinyl models to billfolds.

And while they didn’t contain any money, some of the wallets were packed with Red Cross certificates, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, train schedules and pictures.

One wallet owner, Merlyn Legare of Gilman, was born in 1899 and died about 25 years ago. Her wallet contained her 1952 Vermont driver’s license, pictures of a young man and a payment of $5 on an overdue jewelry store account.

A leather wallet containing numerous intramural sports citations belonged to one Nancy Burden. Little is known about her.

Another wallet belonged to Joan Newman, also of Gilman. Acquaintances said Newman became a nurse and moved to New York state. She could not be located.

Owners of the wallets can pick them up – with proper identification – at the Country Barrel on Railroad Street.