Well, I've finally gotten my computer back, so I'm back in the saddle again . . . and back on the Outhouse Trail for today's Blog.
Those of you out in the Blog-O-Sphere who have been following the Blog or visiting our companion Bass River History Web Site know that I am on a quest to photograph all the existing outhouses in the New Gretna-Bass River Township area. I'm like a knight pursuing the holy grail.
Click on the link below to see the photos of the Bass River Township outhouses posted on the Bass River Township History Web Site:
I thought that I had photographed all the available outhouses until my Men's Breakfast buddy, Rickie "White Shoes" Steele, gave me a lead on an outhouse on a property on Hammonton Road. Yesterday afternoon was a beautiful, sunny day, so I thought I would venture over to Hammonton Road and see if I could find the elusive structure. I was not disappointed, as I found the cedar shaked beauty, entrance door askew, sitting in fallen leaves, and nestled in a small grove of pines. The window on the door was missing it's screen, and the hinges had seen better days but, all in all, it's a lovely out building.
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November 17, 2009 photo by Pete Stemmer.
Peeking inside, I noticed that it was a two seater. This was always a puzzlement to me. Why more than one seat? Did couples go to the outhouse together in the old days? Togetherness is often thought of as a virtue but, I'd have to say, "Not in this case!"
I wonder if anyone out in the Blog-O-Sphere has any memories of outhouses with more than two seats. Now, that must be a really close family!
I can't help wondering if there is another outhouse out there that has evaded my wandering camera. If you hear of or see one, let me know.
Pete S
Pete,
ReplyDeleteI see you are back posting to the blog. I did a quick google on why two seaters, and two of the more credible ideas were warmth in the winter outweighs privacy, and different sized holes for children, women, and men.
John
When I attended school in Manahawkin, (1946,7) the outhouses had two seats. Of course, being kids, it was just more fun to use the facility together.
ReplyDeleteBeverly Mathis Robinson
Beverly,
ReplyDeleteWas the outhouse coed or was there one for boys and one for girls?
Pete S
No they weren't really co-ed. There was a separate one for each. However someone, the boys I suspect, had drilled a small hole through the common wall they shared. So normally if more than one of us girls was using the facility, someone stood in front of the hole. One time when I was in the third grade, there was a rainstorm howling and I needed to GO. The teacher tried to put me off as long as she could but finally had to bundle me up in as much raingear as she could muster and send me out into the storm. The outhouse was not exactly right at the door either. As I recall, I got back safely and not too wet.
ReplyDeleteBeverly Mathis Robinson
Beverly,
ReplyDeleteLucky the boys didn't have cell phones that took photos back then, like so many have today. You may have wound up on UTube.
Pete S
I have contributed in a composting 2 hole privy where hole A is used for 6 months or so, then hole B is used while the stuff in hole A is composting for more sanitary cleaning out and use as fertilizer.
ReplyDelete