Thanks everyone, I actually asked the neighbor today who has been next door for 40 + years what he knew about the house and if he had seen the floors before they got covered over. He said that in the past 10 years a family came in and put down all the laminate. However, the man who lived here before lived here for most of his life and had everything covered in carpet so I’m hoping that’s good and it protected the wood. I also removed a piece from the first floor and found what I think is face-nailed oak strip flooring. I wonder why face-nailed flooring on one floor and t & g upstairs.

I didn't mean to completely do away w/the curve! It was hard to find the exact photograph. I posted those so you could see some styles of the stairs. All I meant was to lessen it a bit to where you have that landing spot over the side I think this is a waste, too bulky looking, and rather dated. keep the curve, but not like that. Like this. what's wrong w/this one? It's still curved. you don't have that funky ledge either. This fits almost all designs too. also too, it depends on the style of the house, the room, the design. If you have a very classical or traditional home w/classical furnishings, then this would be fine But both of these are rather fussy and on the 'grand' side. Not quite Gone with the Wind, but in that neighborhood. The staircases I posted are little more fitting to a regular home and different styles.

Oak floor.....and the statement about vinegar "wearing away the finish" depends on the finish. shellac probably will...solvent based poly won't be harmed by a weak vinegar solution and it will remove some dirt. I have lived with wood floors all my life. Varnish and paste wax when I was a kid, Had Bruce prefinished floors in the first house which had to be paste waxed every 6 months....and one drop of water left too long left a black mark....then on to oak with a shellac finish which wore easily....and finally to oil based poly. best yet! Oh and i am talking about a long time frame, I am 84.

Location could prove helpful as hardwood flooring wasn't shipped all over in those days like today. It usually came from a localized source or region.