Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Podcast Library
Science:Nature
Spring Hill Ranch HQ Tour Stop 9: The Outhouse
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Tour Stop 9: The Outhouse
Lovingly called "The Little Privy on the Prairie" how fitting this little outhouse is to the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch complex. Stephen Jones did not cut corners on this building. The exterior walls are built with block limestone and the keystones have a hammered face, with tooled stone edges. The cornerstones also have tooled edges.
The interior walls are rough cut ashlar stone which are dressed at the windows. There is evidence that the interior was meant to be enclosed with either wood or wood lath and plaster. The outhouse even has curtains in the windows for that added element of privacy.
Inside you will find that it is a three-seater. The purpose is for biodegradability. Lime was used to break down solids while the other opening could be utilized until the waste was dissolved.
An outhouse was necessary as this was before indoor plumbing. The only thing that saved someone from a trip to the outhouse on a cold, snowy night, was the chamber-pot. There are many names for these little helpers, such as thunderbucket or rumblepot.
Another reason for this structure's three seats may have been to accommodate each individual member of the household at the time. Mr. and Mrs. Jones and little daughter Loutie. To answer a common question, Victorian modesty and culture only allowed the outhouse to be utilized by one member of the household at a single time. It was never occupied by all three at the same time.
Continue your self-guided tour of the grounds by following the steps up the hill to the Icehouse.
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