in todays episode of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot...

Kern Dog said
Uhhh...
I'm guessing you live where there are no building inspection requirements?
THis worries me a bit. I am considering a move to another state but THAT state is a bit more relaxed in many ways. There is good and bad in that but as a Carpenter, I know that there are hundreds of ways that unskilled construction workers can hide structural flaws. Drywall and siding can and do hide a LOT of ugly work.
OSB plywood (Oriented Strand Board) is used for structural conditions and sound deflection. We use it on Duplex party walls, apartment party walls and exterior walls where additional strength is needed. IF the OSB is on an interior, it could be for sound or strength. On the exterior, it is exclusively for structural reasons, in my experience.

thanks for the insight

i havent gotten far enough yet to cut it all out, but when i looked at it, it didnt seem thick enough to be structural OSB

i had a chance to look at the original survey from 1985 and it shows the foundation being roughly 24X38
this room is on the north east corner of that foundation , so that makes me believe this was NOT an exterior wall

i think they may have had an open floor plan and when they put in the second floor they used whatever they had handy

heres a fun picture, this is on the inside of the closet that the loft sits on

sure doesnt look like what you would expect inside a closet

ill keep you guys posted as i get this framed in a cut out