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Outhouse Comments
 2007 Outhouse Racing Information is now here...
Click HERE for 2007 Race Information!
This is probably the most entertaining and informative part of the Outhouses of America Tour! You would not believe some of the comments that have come in over the years...and they are from all over the world! Beware: It might take a while to go through all of them so the best way to approach these pages is to read a little now and then come back from time to time to read more. Have fun!
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Outhouse Comments from 2006-2004
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Outhouse Comments from 2003-2001
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Outhouse Comments from 2000-1996
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Outhouse Comments from 2000 - 1996
1996-2000
- 12/14/00 LOVE your site! Do you have any idea where your sister got the outhouse
bank? Can you tell me the name of the manufacturer? It would make such a
perfect gift for a dear relative. [Curator's Comment: Check out the updated information on the Outhouse Bank page.]
- 12/12/00 What a scream, whilst researching for some Diversional Therapy for my
care-recipients about what Australians call "Dunnies" and into reminiscing
mode I came upon this page, just love it and the instructins, i will
feature this in my next newsletter to all the folk at our respite.
- 12/9/00 thanks for such a great site...
i needed a break from the regular serious stuff on the net...
maybe al gore should look up your site and give america a break...
- 12/2/00 I grew up in Appalachia and I am an avid student of Appalachian culture.
Over the years, I noticed that all the older outhouses (circa 1940) had
gooseberry bushes planted somewhere in the vicinity, usually on either or
both sides. Can you tell me why? This is a huge cultural void in my
studies! Please include this question on your FAQ page. [Check out the FAQ's page for the answer]
- 11/23/00 Sir: I know you take this subject very seriously and I will also. We are
currently restoring an 1859 historic home to be used on the National
Register of Historic Places as a living history plantation. We are
searching for an outhouse plan that might have been used by an affluent
family on an 1860 plantation in Kentucky along with its historical use and
accessories. I have used many an outhouse but most were constructed in
the 1960's. Example, would corn cobs been prevalent due to the scarcity of
paper. Any information from your historical background would be immensely
appreciated. Director Kentucky Confederate Studies [Curator's Comment: If you buy the book for sale on this web site, you will have a taste and review of the history of outhouses and quite possibly some of your answers. You could actually use pages from it in a display about outhouses at your site.
Since I wasn't really there in 1860, I don't know for sure the answers to your questions. I don't think Sears and Roebuck was around either so there wouldn't have been that source of paper. We can only safely assume that corn cobs would have been the prevalent means of wiping at that time. I would think the local watering hole or pond would have been frequented to rinse off with a nice swim in the summer.
As far as plans, again I don't know of any original plans from way back then. Moules Earth Closet was invented around that time so they may have been used. In fact, if they were affluent, they probably did have one. Someone who visited my site found one and wanted to sell it. If you are interested in giving an offer for it, let me know and I'll relay your message to him.
I'm reasonably confident that outhouses were pretty much standard one or two holers back then and the carpenters of the time could probably put one up in a very short time since they were a necessity. If you take a look at construction sites, you will see the outhouse is the first thing on the job site! I do have some sources for plans on the FAQ's page. The link is shown below.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my site and please do come back often to see what's new.]
- 11/21/00 An elderly friend is looking for a book called "My Folks Back to the
Basics, A Treasury of Outhouse Stories" which she thought was printed by
Capers in 1994.
- 11/19/00 I was doing a search on outhouses when I came across your website. I was
wondering if you can give me a few sites to go to that I would be able to order outhouses pictures and other outhouse stuff I can put on a shelf. Any info you can give me would be very appreciated.
- 11/15/00 I go to a summer camp every summer. At this camp they do not have real bathrooms just outhouses. Actually, we call them the biffy (Bathroom In Forest For You.) Well, a few summers ago we were having a cook out. My friend and I took this big jug and filled it w/ bubbles. Then, we covered ourselves in the bubbles and walked over to the biffys. We started screaming!! Everyone ran over with worried looks on their faces asking "Whats wrong?!"
"She fell in the biffy!" my friend said. While I was hidden in out of the biffys my friend was pretending to pull me out of it!! I flew out saying "Wow, you would not believe how bubbly it is down there!"
After I cleaned all the bubbles off we told every camper that passed by that I had fallen in the biffy. Amazingly, everyone believed us.
The next summer everyone knew me as Bif. And to this day there are still people that believe that I truly did fall into the Biffy.
- 11/16/00 I had a poster that was my father's before he died. It was a picture of a
two story outhouse with the Management on top and employee on the bottom.
When I changed jobs the poster disappeared to my dismay. It is an older
style outhouse with no visible means to get to the 2nd floor. It was a
commercially available poster. I have seen other similar type posters
that just are not the same. Can you point me to a place to look for the
poster?
- 11/13/00 What a gas! My father has had a fettish for old outhouses and I and my
siblings would like to look at designs to construct one for my parents for
a Christmas gift. They will probbably use it to plant flowers in. Where
might I look for this type of info.?
- 11/9/00 HI MY NAME IS JAMES MCMAKIN IVE JUST START COLLECTING THE GREAT AMERICAN
THRONE HAVE A FEW PICTURES AND, AM TO GET ONE THIS WEEK END THAT WAS BUILT
IN THE 1800 TO RE STORE I AM A FIREFIGHTER MEDIC AND HAVE FOUND A GREAT
NEW WAY TO RELAX WITH THIS HOBBY ANY HELP OR INFO WOULD BE GREAT AND MY
WIFE SAYS THE BOOK WILL BE IN MY STOCKIN WE LIVE IN UPSTATE SC AND HAVE
FOUND ALOT OF GOOD JOHNS IN OUR AREA LOOKIN FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU .
- 11/9/00 I am desperately trying to find original specifications for a WPA
outhouse. My father has an original WPA outhouse and it was damaged
(pretty bad) in a storm and he would like to restore it to original
specifications. ANY information you can give me would be GREATLY
appreciated.
- 11/8/00 I am looking for a shower curtain with outhouses on it. I have my
entire bathroom done in the outhouse theme, but I cannot find a shower curtain
with them on it anywhere. If you can help, let me know!
- 11/3/00 could you kind fokes tell how to make prope. [Huh?]
- 11/1/00 I would deeply appreciate your providing the full citation to the
Edward Pound article from USA Today. "Glacier's $1,000,000 Outhouse." For
some reason it no longer appears on their search engine. I would like the
date of the article, and the page, please. Thanks. I used your version for
a speech I gave last month. By the way--Is that the actual title of his article?
- 11/1/00 Hello! My name is Maggie and I was wondering when outhouses were
invented.
- 10/29/00 wHY IS THERE A CRESCENT MOON ON OUTHOUSES?
- 10/27/00 Where can an outhouse bank be purchased ?
- 10/26/00 I have every Billy Ed Wheeler record released in England and can
state that BEW recorded different versions of 'Litle Brown Shack' (some live).
The other lyrics are from 'The Interstate is coming through our outhouse'
also by BEW. If you'r interested & I have more time I can send an MP3 version
- just ask.
- 10/26/00 I have to tell you that yours is one of the best sites i've come
across in my web surfing, however i did not see any pics of hawaii outhouses.
i live on maui in the jungle with a very primitive outhouse of my own and
a little nicer one of the neighbors. i will be back there in a few weeks and
could take some pics if you are interested. as i have no modern convienences
(electricity, running water, computers, or digital cameras) i would have to
send prints via snail mail.
- 10/24/00 " wow, cool." a surprise indeed. haha made me smile today.
- 10/21/00 I am a 5th grade techer in Gary, IN. I have decided that constructing
an outhouse in my classroom may be a way to teach measurements to my students.
I would like for the outhouse to be as close to the "real" thing as possible
(meaning the size). I would like to know if there is anyplace I can get the
directions on how to construct an outhouse. I need this info in simple terms
and a project that will not take a licensed contractor to build. My email
address will be changing shortly. If I don't hear from you before that happens
I will resend my request. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- 10/21/00 Hi there. My name is Mike. I live in Koshkonong Missouri. I started
the Koshkonong Heritage Day Outhouse Races in September of `93. Our races
are a bit different than yours. We have two wheels and are pulled like riksha
(chinese taxi). Each entry has one male and one female to pull the outhouses,
and both take turns riding and pulling. We race around a path designated by
two barrels on each end, on our mainstreet (which is blocked off for traffic).
There are lots of potholes and some of the outhouses tip over (accidentally).
The age group is from High School and up. Everyone has fun and gets a big
kick out of it every year. The racers also receive free t-shirts and plaques
to thank them for racing.
- 10/19/00 What a fun site! I am remodeling my bathroom in a rustic style.
I'm stenciling bears & pinetrees around the edge. I wanted to take some old
barn wood and make an outhouse with a little man inside (who looks surprised
and covering his private areas sitting on the pot) to go above the toilet,
but didn't know exactly how they looked. Your site gave me lots of fun ideas.
I needed one for a towel rack too and you helped me with that.
- 10/18/00 Hey, i was looking for a website on The Outhouse and not only was
yours the only site i found dedicated to that fun store, but i loved what
i saw...Good 'n' plenty has great food. I have to agree with that! The pictures
are really good too, but i dont think anyone realizes what a great place it
is, until they have actually visited it and seen everything for themselves...Thanks
for making the site!
- 10/17/00 We have an outhouse that we use in the wintertime at our cabin
in northern Minnesota. I'd really like to spruce it up (half log siding to
match the cabin, a regulated portable heater, insulate it, and decorate it).
What I'm looking for is either a crescent moon stencil for the door or a (wood)
crescent moon I can hang on the door. Can you help me?
- 10/17/00 Great page! I was in Lancaster earlier this year, but I missed
your store somehow. Hopefully, I will get back down that way real soon so
I can look around. In the mean time, do you have a mail order catalog for
items in your store? I'm doing a bathroom over and planning to decorate in
outhouses. Please let me know if catalogs are available. Thanks!
- 10/17/00 I looked at P Johnson's towel rack and noticed she has likely used
the border paper that I just bought in a small Cow Town west of Calgary..
The same town that held the Outhouse race on Sept. 20/00. The have three rolls
of this border paper... it's 8" x 15 ft... It comes in three different background
colours.
- 10/16/00 i am a member of the rotary club of delaware, oh. is there anyone
in our area that could give a presentation to the members at a luncheon meeting
on the history, style, humor and preservation of outhouses.
- 10/16/00 "Ode to the Outhouse": A friend of mine was looking for this poem
(James Whitcomb Riley). [You'll find it here!]
10/17/00 I Did find the poem on your website as well. Just not in it's entirety.
From what I can tell the poem has several additional versus, not included
on yours. Just thought that you might want to take a look and see what you
think. The title is also different on yours, than on the other. According
to my friend, who asked me to look it up. "Path to the backhouse". Is the
correct title. She had memorized it as a child (if you can believe that) Anyway,
I enjoyed your site very much, and found it to be very entertaining. I just
wanted to pass on some info that you might be interested in. Thanks Kristi
- 10/15/00 Do you have an index of web site for "Outhouse" things??? John
Thomson.. "still lookng for a tie with an OUTHOUSE on it!!!"
- 10/12/00 I don't exactly know why i'm attracted to outhouses but i am and
so much that i was compelled to build one. I have enclosed a picture of my
creation and you may put it on your site if you wish and include my e-mail
address dratomic76@aol.com so anyone else with the same interest can contact
me. I'm 41 years old a tattooed biker and love antiques, the 70's music and
outhouses and they call me big daddy.
- 10/12/00 Do you have any photos of outhouses that I could purchase? If not,
do you know where I can find a few to buy? I am in the process of decorating
a bathroom and the decor is going to be old outhouses. I want to do a collage
of several different photos however, I am having trouble finding the pictures.
- 10/12/00 SO DO YOU HAVE ANY OUTHOUSE STUFF FOR SALE OR DO YOU JUST LOAD
ALL OF YOUR VALUABLE INFO ONTO THE NET--I HAVE FRIEND WHO COLLECTS MAJOR OUTHOUSE
STUFF AND AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR VARIOUS GIFT IDEAS. THKS, BRENDA LEE
- 10/10/00 I'm desperately looking to buy an old outhouse, or in lieu of that,
having one built. Can you help me locate an old outhouse, or do you know where
I can find plans to build one? Thank you.
- 10/10/00 Just wanted to know where I could buy one of the outhouse CD holders.
I have an extensive outhouse collection but nothing like this. Thanks.
- 9/9/00 I grew up in a small Midwestern town in the 1920s. At that time only
the wealthiest homes (3 or 4) had indoor plumbing. For the underprivileged,
the outhouse was situated at the back of the property, at the alleyway. When
cleaning became necessary, arrangements were made with the local entrepreneurs
who performed this task. They would show up in the dark of night, turn the
outhouse on its side, and set to work with their scoops. When the job was
finished they would right the structure and carry away the collected -- .
I have no idea what they did with it. These men were called "honeydippers."
- 10/4/00 Thanks much for the excellent coverage of our store in Lancaster.
I also found your web site to be extremely interesting (what a lot of work)
If you go to Pa. again let me know. Lunch is on me!!!
- 10/3/00 A friend of mine has a jigsaw puzzle of outhouses, there's about
10 different kinds....she had it framed and it's in her bathroom....really
looks cute. I have been looking for this jigsaw puzzle for the pass couple
of years....could you please tell me if you have ever seen one like it and
if so...where I could buy one? [Curator's Comment: I have it! It's called
Nature Calls, has 550 pieces and it has 14 different outhouses in it. The
address to contact is:
Nature Calls
6 Mildred Lane
Ambler, PA 19002
Good Luck!]
- 10/3/00 My sister told me about your website and we both think you have
one of the greatest senses of humors both of us have ever had the fortune
of getting hit with!
- 10/3/00 I would love to do my bathroom in Outhouses. I once saw a catalog
that had all kinds of cool outhouse stuff, but it got lost before I could
order. Do you know of any good resources for outhouse items. My kids pediatrician
has a really cool poster of outhouses in their office bathroom. I am still
trying to get that also.
- 10/3/00 What a cool site!!!!
- 9/29/00 looking for a pattern to cut out an outhouse for a wall decoration
for a wedding gift. Using a scroll saw. Prefer a two holer so can cut out
newlywed's names over the doors. Do you know where I might find such a pattern?
thanks
- 9/29/00 I was born in Rosie, Ar. and would have been 7 years old at the
time this outhouse was built. It looks so familiar, and I know the location,
but can recall the people. The lady mentioned her mother remembering it. If
possible I would love to hear from this lady and find out who her mother was.
- 9/29/00 I was born in Rosie, Ar. and would have been 7 years old at the
time this outhouse was built. It looks so familiar, and I know the location,
but can recall the people. The lady mentioned her mother remembering it. If
possible I would love to hear from this lady and find out who her mother was.
- 9/27/00 Houdy, Looked at your page to get some fresh pixs of outhouses.
Was I surprised to see so many outhouse fans. I got my pixs so thanks. Now
the John will have some "class"
- 9/20/00 How did the outhouse get the name johnny house?
- i am searching for some plans i had but lost for an ordorless outhouse.
i got them about eleven years ago while on a bicycle trip at a national or
state park i do not remember which. my nephew's industrial ed class would
like to build some... and i would be their first customer. i just found your
web site thru ask jeeves, it is late and i need to sleep, but i am sending
it to my nephew and bookmark it for myself.i have a few good outhouse pictures
and stories myself and have always found them interesting, practical and entertaining.
i know i will enjoy viewing this site. thank you for your time and effort
regarding this question and provideing this web site.
- 9/23/00 I am looking for cross stitch patterns of Outhouses. Do you have
any ideas?
- 9/17/00 Hi, I'm sending you this picture of an outhouse that was once an
attractive and fancy one. But, alas, once while playing hookie from gradeschool,
I hiked out to the "Old Summer Home" where I grew up in the sumertime. At
16 years of age, and just receiving my first social security card in the year
1943 I stopped amidst the deserted surroundings and opened the door. As a
fancy outhouse when you opened the door, the lid would raise up and it [Unable
to display image]popped my purse right out of my hand and into the big hole!
It had $6 and my social security card. I was about to retrieve my purse but
"changed my mind!" That was 57 years ago and it is still down there. Anyone
got a scooba suit? I know you can't use this story, but I wanted to share
it! I loved your outhouse photos and stories! They were great!
- 9/16/00 To reduce the waste, we would throw lime into the holes (a two-seater)
after we were done using the house for the weekend. One weekend a cousin,
not knowing there was a difference, threw down 'agricultural lime'. The next
person to sit down got quite a surprise as weeds had grown to great heights
in all the 'manure' and tickled his bottom.
- 9/15/00 Dear Sir,
My hat goes off to you! This is a great site--bursting with a wealth of interesting
information, that I just couldn't stop reading! I think it's so amazing--just
chock-full of truly incredible material.
Keep up the good work--I really appreciate it.
- 9/14/00 Hi ! My neighbor wants to build an outhouse next to his pond behind
his home. Can you direct me to some detailed building plans ? I've told him
to skip the plans and let "necessity be the mother" of his invention... however
he insists on some basic "plans" for his "beer recycler"!!!!! The hole is
dug and a large diameter by 4 foot long concrete pipe has been installed to
shore up the walls. Help please!!
- 9/14/00 You have a nice site
- 9/13/00 After reviewing your website, I decided to submit pictures of our
outhouse located on property we own in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The resort
was built in 1896, although, I think this outhouse was rebuilt at some point.
After talking to my artist/daughter-in-law about the outhouse, we decided
it would be a great novelty if she were to paint it in psychedelic colors
and install wall-to-wall shag carpeting in a two-tone orange/lime. I think
it would be perfect for someone's garden. Anyone interested in bidding on
it?
- 9/12/00 you may be interested to know that,on a few days off from work I
built an outhouse, inside my house with moon on the door and all, but inside
it is several shelves, with a computer, my father came over while I had the
saw going and I didnt hear him, of course he thought, and still thinks that
I have completely lost my senses.but in the meantime he still brings all his
friens over to see it.
- 9/11/00 I am looking for hand towels with an outhouse design any suggestions?
- 9/8/00 Years ago I had a wonderful poem (actually had it professionally
framed) named "Thomas Crapper", and started out something like Thomas Crapper,
plumbers mentor.......etc. Hung in the bathroom above the t-paper. True story-
I lost it in a divorce, not cause he wanted it, but he didn't want me to have
it! Talk about spoil sport. Today I heard, like everyone else, I heard there
is doubt about T.Crapper being the first inventor- But I say BOOOOOO, What
good is a Chinese who invents a pot and then buries it?? I say NONE I like
a guy who invents something he is so proud of that he shares it with the world.
( Is that what a public toilet is-hummmmm) yada yada yada
I would like to locate a source for this poem again, my bath has not been
the same since I gave mine up. Can you help? June
[Curator's Comment: If anyone out there can help with this, please Email
the lyrics to me.]
- 9/7/00 That little brown house out back...
Had one on the farm where i was raised (west of Sylvania OH). The indoor facility
was off the kitchen, and God help anyone who tracked mud across Grandma's
waxed linoleum to get to it; hence the outhouse got much use during the wet
season. With all those picturesque shots, how about a screensaver, after the
fashion of the lighthouse ones?
- 9/7/00 If you can, please tell me what the "Moon" Cutout is supposed to
represent?
- 9/7/00 My Uncle sent me this page, and I think that you did a great job
of getting these pictures on the web. You had to have had a blast at the races.
And at the local pubs. We are a NASCAR racing family, and your page made it
to Southern California. Nice job. Renee
- 9/5/00 Another memory was the outhouse at one of my friend's farm. The outhouse
was named, "Lena", and so we had to go to "Lena". A two-holer.
- 9/4/00 Hello, we have enjoyed viewing the pictures of the many outhouses
in your website. Our problem is we own 10 acres of land with a lake and a
pavilion. We have a lot of family picnics at our lake and we have rented portable
toilets on occasion for a big family reunion. We have built an outhouse from
some of our old fencing that we removed from the property. But we are interested
in putting in a pumpable toilet inside the outhouse. What we have right now
is just the main outside frame and roof. No insides. Can you help us find
a pumbable unit for inside the outhouse.
[Curator's Comment: If you want a true outhouse, build a cemented hole under
it and you can then build an access hole from the outside for a honey truck
to pump out periodically.
If you have a forced water supply, you could install a real toilet inside
and then the waste could go into a hole the size of a garbage can. In there,
you could install a special pump from Home Depot which would pump the waste
up and out into a holding tank located nearby. The honey truck could pump
out from that tank. Now you are needing a water supply and electricity. There
is no easy solution to your question.
- 9/4/00 I HAVE A FRIEND THAT COLLECTS OUTHOUSE PICTURES. SHE WOULD LIKE SOME
HAND TOWELS FOR HER BATHROOM THAT HAVE OUTHOUSES ON THEM. CAN YOU HELP OUT
WITH THIS REQUEST?
- 9/3/00 I like your web site. I have been trying to find some Tshirts with
outhouse themes. Do you know of any online sources?
- 8/31/00 Love your site!
Was wondering... has anyone ever submitted a picture of the wooden outhouses
provided for campers on the islands of Lake George, NY? If not, I'd be glad
to email you one... Even for die-hard campers, they're the source of much
conversation!
- 8/25/00 Hello, My name is Carol and I have enjoyed your outhouse line it
took me along to time to find it. I don't know if you are familar with the
grange or not but this will be shared for my program tomorrow night. I sat
watching TV and thought this would make a funny subject so I searched and
this is were I landed. Again Thakyou you've put alot of time and work into
this project. And many Thanks for sharing it with the public.
- 8/25/00 The Victorian
Manor with the His and Hers Outhouses has been sold. Visit my page on
this to read about it.
- 8/25/00 I didn't know if this is the right web site but i am dire need of
knowing what the 1/2 moon on a old stly outhouse represents? hopefully you
can help me out. WIL
- 8/25/00 Imagine my surprise to see an internet link referring to a church
near where my grandmother was raised. I never imagined that the Rosendale
Church, near St. James, Minnesota, my hometown would gain notoriety because
of it's classic plumbing. Thanks for the amusement,
- 8/24/00 Hey curator, Do you know where I can find Bathroom Accessories in
Outhouse Motif. There was a catalog from The Country House in Salisbury, Md
but they now longer carry and items. Just thought maybe you had a lead?
[Curator's Comment] Hey Kathy! Sure, check out my FAQ's page for some places
to purchase things. Don't forget to check out the brand new information on
Thomas Crapper on the FAQ's page with a brand new link to a complete page
on Thomas Crapper. There is now a link to a source of Crapper toilets and
accessories in England on that page.]
- 8/24/00 Very interesting website. I grew up in a semi-rural town in Pennsylvania--used
two seater outhouses regularly. I am presently researching underground toliets,
constructed at the turn or the century. Could
any of your readers provide me with information on this topic? Any information--regardless
of how seemingly trival-- would be appreciated. Pat
- 8/24/00 Amoungst the humor, there is quite a lot of good information about
how to build a good outhouse in "The Specialist". If I were going to build
one, I'd use it as a reference. I go to a farm ocassionally, in mid Missouri,
that has a working outhouse and has for more than 100 years.
- 8/23/00 I was searching the web for outhouses, because I need to make a
construction paper outhouse to be used as a bathroom pass in an elementary
school. I was very surprised to see this sight. I though that I would let
you know the wherabouts of another old outhouse. It is located in Rabbit Hash
Kentucky. Rabbit Hash is about 40 miles southwest of Cincinnati Ohio. It is
on the Ohio river. Rabbit Hash is just a few old log cabins and an old general
store. The general store is still in operation. It has been there since 1831.
There will be a Labor Day celebration on September 2.
- 8/23/00 I am a distant relative of Chic Sale and I wanted to point out another
book that he wrote concerning outhouses. It is titled "I'll Tell You Why".
It can be accessed at www.amc-ny.org/braley/outhouse/tellwhy.htm. All I know
about Chic was what I read on the web and what I have heard from older people
who had heard of him. We was a standup comic during the 20's, 30's and 40's.
The bits about outhouses were his most requested material and he put them
in book form. I have a copy of "The Specialist" and knew of the other one
but had never seen a copy prior to yesterday. He was also in 3 movies: 1923
- The New Schoolteacher in which he starred. 1934 -Treasure Island in which
he appeared. 1935- Rocky Mountain Mystery in which he starred with Randolph
Scott.
- 8/22/00 hi, i was hoping to find out of you guys was incharge of a outhouse
calender and if i can send in pictures of my out house in to you? thank you
for your time
- 8/22/00 It's funny what you run in to while trying to find information on
the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day. The best part of it that I have stopped
at a couple of them and yes the one in Wisconsin really is bad smelling. Nice
job! I think!
- 8/21/00 i want some actual plans to build my own outhouse for hunting.can
you help?
- 8/18/00 Good Morning, John. I hope that you can help me with my search.
I know that I am a Gator! I have a friend that grew-up in Tennessee. She was
relaying her childhood and started talking about the "little outhouse out
back." She plays the guitar and would love to be able to play and sing this
song for her children. Thank-you, for the lyrics. I have searched the webs
looking for the chords, to no avail. My friend is going into the hospital
on Monday for surgery. If I can find the music to this song, I would give
it to her that day. Funny little song about an outhouse, but it would make
her smile. Thank-you, again. Annie
- 8/17/00 I have enjoyed your site and was curious if you could give me any
suggestions on where to find outhouse decor. I am using a outhouse border
in a bathroom and would love to have accesories to add. (pictures, small outhouses)
I would appreciate any help that I can get. Thank you
- 8/12/00 We are in a desparate search for a black and white poster size (preferably)
of an outhouse with character for a gift. Can you help?
- 8/12/00 My sister-in-law collects outhouse items and has a bathroom decorated
in "outhouse art"...she has been unable to find a wastebasket--odd oxymoron!!
- 8/11/00 With my name I can empathize with Mr. Crapper. [His name is Tickel]
- 8/10/00 Do you have any suggestions on a source(s) for building plans for
an outhouse? Thanks...your is lovely.
- 8/10/00 I love your outhouse web page. I found it while trying to discover
the origin of the term "Chick Sales" for an outhouse. I know there was an
actor in vaudeville and early movies with that name, but I don't know the
origin of the term for an outdoor privy. Can you help me?
- 8/10/00 I read in the Comments to the Curator that there are folks looking
for outhouse related things to decorate their outhouse (bathroom). The Country
House catalog at www.thecountryhouse.com has outhouse stuff. The address is
805 E Main St., Salisbury, MD 21804. They have wallpaper borders, soap dishes,
etc with outhouses on them. [Tell them the Outhouses of America Tour sent
you from www.jldr.com]
- 8/7/00 HELLO I RECENTLY BOUGHT A OUTHOUSE AS A YARD DECORATION I WAS WONDERING
HOW SOMEONE FINDS OUT HOW TO DECORATE ONE MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I HAD FINALLY
LOST MY MIND WHEN I TOLD HIM I JUST HAD TO HAVE AN OUTHOUSE FOR OUR NEW HOME
IT COMES TOMORROW AND I WANT IT TO BE THE TALK OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT HOW
TO DECORATE IT INSIDE AND OUT IS A PROBLEM
- 8/6/00 I am looking to buy a victorian manor to fix up. I would apreciate
it very much if you would please send me a price on the manor pictured at
your webpage.
- 8/6/00 My fondest memories of outhouses were gathered each Halloween, when
all the school boys in our small town, won't mention names, as I reckon some
gentle folk would still like to hang the bunch of us, would run around in
the dark,whooping like Indians, tipping over as many outhouses as we could
find, generally checking first to see if there was anyone inside.
Then, we'd go 'round next morning to help those unfortunate families to "right
up" their outhouses again, while decrying those uncouth "vandals" who would
do such a thing!! Forgot to mention we were 9 or 10 years old at the time
-- during WW II --
- 8/1/00 I'm quite an outhouse enthusiast myself. July 4th, my mother, father
and I drove around Wabash County in Southern Illinois and photographed outhouses.
There are still some great ones out there. I enjoy your website. Stan
- 8/2/00 ENJOYED SEE YOUR OUTHOUSE! I PLAN ON BUILDING ONE SOON AT THE LAKE.
IT WILL BE JUST UNDER 1OOSQ. FEET AND HAVE A STORAGE SPACE ON THE SIDE. I'M
PURCHASING THE HOLDING TANK SOON AND THEN WILL POUR THE CEMENT PAD. I PLAN
ON MAKING IT NICE ENOUGH AND GOOD ENOUGH TO LAST AND BE ALRIGHT FOR ENOUGH
CITY COMPANY. IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT THEY WON'T STAY LONG. I WAS GOING TO MAKE
IT LOG CABIN STYLE, BUT I THINK I'LL JUST BOX IT IN AND THEN CUT SOME CEDAR
TO PUT SIDING ON TO GIVE IT THE LOG STYLE LOOK
- 7/26/00 I would like to dig a new outhouse back in my woods near our campfire.
I can't seem to locate any sort of directions for this endeavor. Where should
I go to find the info?
- 7/24/00 The reason I got started looking these up in the first place is
I planned for some time to remodel my bathroom. I just did not know what theme
I should have. (It started out as a seascape and I had purchased some related
items to that effect.) Then, I happened to find some really cute ceramic outhouses
with cowboy kids inside and out of them. I don't have any in pictures yet,
but when I do, I will send them to you.
Ever since then, I have been finding some framed pictures to go with my nick-knacks,
but there are not as many as you might think and I have looked everywhere
(so to speak).
If I may, I would like your permission to print some of your pictures to frame
and use in my newly remodeled "outhouse." And your "Ode to the Outhouse" is
perfect reading while we sit on our one-holer. I would like to use that one,
also.
Keep adding to your website, they are really nice.
- 7/23/00 Hi! I found your site to be very interesting. I recently returned
from Lancaster and also visited the Outhouse, which was my son's favorite
spot during our tours. We got to see the performing pigs across the street
which was very humorous. We are looking forward to our visit next year at
the Outhouse.
- 7/23/00 My mom -- who grew up with outhouses -- mentioned that it'd be cute
to build a miniature (5 or 6 footer) to place in her garden in the backyard
just for show. I've scoured the Web and cannot find blueprints. I know building
an outhouse is not "rocket science" as they say, but I'm no wood craftsman.
Can you recommend any places to get some blueprints?
- 7/18/00 Hi- saw your web page and thought it was just great! I too am looking
for outhouse decorations and misc. items. Could you direct me? Thank you for
any info and for lots of chuckles.
- 7/17/00 How would I go about finding an outhouse to buy? thanks for your
help.........hope you had a nice vacation! [Curator's Comment: Send
Email to this person if you have an outhouse for sale]
- 7/17/00 [Curator's Comment: This is what this web site does to people. It
brings back memories that are hidden way back in their brain but then WHOOMP!
it comes back and for a fleeting moment, they are suspended in the time machine
and back in the "good old days"...]
CAUGHT YOUR OUTHOUSE WEBSITE AND LOVED IT. REALLY LOVED THE FEATURE ON THE
OUTHOUSES OF THE U.P. OF MICHIGAN. MY FAMILY IS FROM THAT AREA, SO I KNEW
OF ALL THE SITES YOU TALK ABOUT. JUST A FEW INTERESTING TIDBITS FOR YOU. AS
WE WERE ON OUR WAY UP FROM SLATINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA IN JUNE OF 2000, MY WIFE
HAD A BOUGHT OF DIARHEA JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. IGNACE, AND HAD TO STOP AND USE
THE OUTHOUSE YOU HAVE PICTURED AT THE MACKINAC BRIDGE RESTSTOP AND LOOKOUT.
SO SHE KNOWS THIS ONE FIRST HAND. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD TURN THEM
AROUND AND FACE THEM TO THE LAKE AND BRIDGE AND PUT A WINDOW IN THE DOOR SO
THAT YOU'D HAVE A VIEW WHILE YOU'RE SITTING THERE. THE 2ND ONE I KNOW OF FIRST
HAND, IS THE ONE YOU HAVE PICTURED UNDER THE MICROWAVE TOWER AT BLANEY PARK.
IF THIS OUTHOUSE WAS TAKEN CARE OF, AND IS ORIGINAL, I PLAYED IN IT AS A KID,
I MEAN WHEN IT WAS NEW AND HADN'T BEEN USED AS A CRAPPER YET. THIS IS OVER
40 YEARS AGO. MY UNCLE OSKER HAD, AND STILL HAS, A CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS IN
THE ENGADINE/NEWBERRY AREA. HE STARTED OUT LONG AGO AND ONE OF THE THINGS
HE BUILT, WERE OUTHOUSES. HE LIVED RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO HIS MOTHERS (MY GRANDMOTHERS)
HOUSE, AND WE WOULD VISIT HIM WHEN WE WENT TO GRANDMA'S FOR THE SUMMER AS
A KID. HIS SON, MY COUSIN DON, AND I PLAYED IN THESE OUTHOUSES AS HE WAS MAKING
THEM. OPENING THE LIDS UP AND JUMPING INTO THE HOLES AND CLOSING THE LIDS
AFTER US IN GAMES OF HIDE AND SEEK AND SUCH. WHEN I WAS A KID, WE LIVED IN
THE CHICAGO AREA, AND WOULD GO TO GRANDMA'S EVERY SUMMER, AND I ALWAYS WATCHED
FOR THAT OUTHOUSE AT THE MICROWAVE TOWER, BECAUSE I KNEW THAT MY UNCLE OSKER
HAD BUILT IT, AND THAT DON AND I HAD PLAYED IN IT. I BET YOU'VE NEVER HEARD
OF A GUY GETTING QUITE SO SENTIMENTAL OVER A CRAPPER BEFORE, EH? SEEING THAT
PICTURE BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORYS AND MAKES ME FEEL SO AT HOME. THAT'S A
HARD OUTHOUSE TO CATCH BY EYE TOO. YOU'VE GOT A SHARP EYE. WELL, IF YOU'RE
EVER BACK IN THAT AREA AGAIN, YOU CAN TAKE US 2 TO M 117 THROUGH ENGADINE
AND GO ABOUT 5 MILES NORTH. THERE, ON M 117 YOU WILL FIND BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN
CHURCH, AND BEHIND THE CHURCH ARE THE OLD OUTHOUSES THAT WE HAD TO USE BEFORE
THEY PUT MODERN BATHROOMS IN THE CHURCH. I WAS THERE THIS PAST SUMMER, AND
THEY ARE STILL OUT THERE BEHIND THE CHURCH. COULD STILL BE USED IN AN EMEGENCY
I GUESS. NOW YOU'VE GOT ME FIRED UP ABOUT THE RACES IN TRENARY. GUESS I'LL
HAVE TO MAKE THE TRIP. IT'S 886 MILES TO ENGADINE FOR US, SO IT'LL PROBABLY
BE CLOSE TO A THOUSAND MILES TO GET TO THE RACES, BUT YOU'VE PIQUED MY INTEREST.
THE U.P. IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD. IT IS GOD'S COUNTRY, OUTHOUSES AND
ALL. SPENT MANY A GOOD SITS IN THE OLD OUTHOUSE AT GRANDMA'S MYSELF. MISS
IT DESPERATELY NOW, ALL OF THE U.P. AM LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING A GOOD SIT
IN TRENARY THEN. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE INFO. IT WARMS THE HEART WHEN
PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HOME. GOOD LUCK ON FUTURE OUTHOUSE JAUNTS!
- 7/15/00 I was looking for info about an outhouse I saw in nantahala national
park in bryson city north carolina. The guide on our rafting trip told us
it was on the register of national places. You might want to add it to your
collection.
- 7/15/00 My name is Ben. I am approaching 19 and my last visit to The Outhouse
was approximately 4 years ago. It was at The Outhouse that I bought my favorite
article of clothing ever, a shirt with the phrase "ME BOSS YOU NOT" superimposed
on dark blue. I am currently wearing it. Since my previous visit, I have lost
over 100 pounds and the extra large is a bit humongous on me. I would like
to purchase the same shirt in a large. Could you possibly send me a catalog
so that my lifelong dream of having 2 shirts that say exactly the same thing
can come true? Thankyou.
- 7/12/00 I am in the process of designing a outhouse for my sister. Are there
any designs available? Does someone sell a kit? Or am I shit out of luck and
should not investigate this crap any further and get building. Looking for
a easier "softer way"
- 7/11/00 We live in the progressive and fast lane state of California. Who
would imagine that this day and age there are out house's that are still in
normal usage. My sister and her former husband bought some property outside
a large northern city and until he made improvements there was no plumbing,
no electricity, nothing. They had to haul the water. They used lanterns and
candles to see at night and a wood stove to cook on....the shower was either
cold or solar heated as it was a small open closet with a container for the
water above it that had to be filled. And the famous or infamous house out
back. This was with the little path and snakes, spiders, and other creatures
that did not mind sharing the solitude of the little house. It was a hard
thing for 4 females to get used to as they had just moved from a large city
in the south of California. going from luxury including a phone in the bath
with several bathrooms in the home to just one little wooden structure well
it was something that needed getting used to. It just shows tho that even
as the west is getting civilized, the people still are hardy stock. There
is still hope for the people of America if they can just draw on this part
of their makeup. WOOHOO for the little house.
- 7/11/00 I have to replace the outhouse on my property in the UP of Michigan.
I was hoping to build it at home and trailer it up north. Are there any building
plans you know of to construct one.
- 7/10/00 I would like to use one of your outhouse pictures on my web site.
I am trying to put together some illustrations to show my early life, when
we lived in several houses with outhouses.
- 7/9/00 I'm building an outhouse on some property that we use for camping.
Is there something that you can dump in the hole to help break down the waste
to prevent it from filling up?
- 7/8/00 I was wondering if you had any idea on how to purchase an old outhouse.........are
they for sale anywhere? I would love to have one in my garden....... thank
you.
- 7/6/00 Do you have a catalog available.
- 7/4/00 My brother recently bought a dairy farm in Fallon, NV. There is an
old outhouse on the property still sitting on the original hole. It is in
good condition. He is doing some rebuilding and may want to try and sell the
outhouse. I would have to guess it to be over 100 years old. Do you have any
idea how much there worth?
- 6/28/00 Would you happen to know where I could find pictures of outhouses
for use as wallpaper for my computer? I would surely appreciate it..
- 6/26/00 Is the outhouse classic for 2001 Feb 24th? Thanks. [Yes, it should
be the last weekend in February.]
- 6/25/00 Hey , just loved you website on "outhouses" kind of sounds like
we are from the same area. Thanks for all the work you put into it, it was
fun looking.
- 6/24/00 hi...i am decorating a bathroom in outhouses...i've been searching
the internet for decorations or home accents of outhouses and can't find any...do
you have any suggestions?
- 6/23/00 I could swear I see a face in the photo on the right,onthe piece
that has the slot for the quarter.I have web-tv and the picture is not really
good, so I am sending it to the computer downstairs for a better look.
- 6/23/00 Just stumbled across your site.. interesting!
You reminded me of two outhouses I used when I was a kid.. they were at my
family's old cabin and the one at my grandpa's cabin.
The one at our old cabin was on a hillside and it got quite a bit of use as
that cabin did not have any plumbing beyond the kitchen sink... that outhouse
is now gone as the new owners own a lumberyard and therefore were able to
go the whole nine yards.
The one at my grandpa's cabin is still standing and in fairly good shape for
not being used in 15+ years. However, this one's days are numbered too as
my dad as much as said he's gonna get it hauled away.
- 6/21/00 Glad to hear that you're still around. Too much good reading at
your site to lose you.
- 6/18/00 Do you know where we might get some instructions (plans) for building
an outhouse?
Your Web page is great! We never realized there was so much i Thanks
- 6/18/00 Funny, when I was a kid (I am 32 now) I had this morbid curiosity
with out door toilets. It's affected me to the point now I won't stop at a
gas station (with modern bathrooms) with that fear of the unknown beyond the
door.
I think its why now I have an obsession with horror movies. And it is rare
yet, theres been a couple movies with outhouse related scenes (Sleep Away
Camp pt 3 I believe) and of course that one particular X-Files episode.
My family would make fun because I would 'have to check out' all the outhouses.
I remember even in younger teen years seeing them at the local parks buried
in the trees. Like a forboding evil luring me to take one last look inside.
I always thought they were evil... like something was down there (of course
the unique aroma didn't help)... even today at local carnivals.. when you
simply can't hold it any longer... the 'Port-a-pots' are beckening me... luring
me into their darkness...
Then I see online people have web pages dedicated to these... see I am not
the only one that hears them calling....
Was a interesting site (the 2 story one scares me some though)
Erik
- 6/19/00 Is there anywhere I can get plans for an outhouse to use for tool
storage in my garden?
- 6/19/00 I need to know two things, one, how do i get one of those too cool
outhouse jackets i saw in outhouse race photos and two, i would like all and
any outhouse plans for construction of, around here if you go out to buy one
, they start at around the $400.00 price mark, crazy huh, well thanks much....
- 6/19/00 Hello, I've been looking hi and lo for some prints of old outhouses
of different styles to hand in the bathroom of our home. Can you PLEASE help
me out since you seem to know so much on the subject. We have a country home,
and outhouses were deffinately part of country life, right? I'd like to add
a little country flair to our restroom!! Any help you can give would be much
appreciated. Thanks!
- 6/14/00 Do you happen to have a catalog to order outhouse items from? Please
let me know! I love them and can hardly find them anywhere!
- 6/14/00 My fiancée and I are wrapping up buying a house in northeastern Wisconsin
(the deal is almost finalized), and we want to remove the old privy from the
property (after we move in July). Recognizing the potential for historical
value, I searched the WWW for information on outhouse preservation societies
and found your informative webpage. Do you know of any such societies or individuals
who might be interested in taking this outhouse? We were just going to knock
it down and fill in the hole, but since that would destroy a part of history,
we want to offer the outhouse for preservation in case someone is interested.
I can provide more information on the outhouse if there is an interest (it
currently appears to be unused, except as a bat roost; I'll check it out more
next time I'm on the property).
- 6/6/00 [This was sent to me by someone that must have donw a search on the
word Skycrapper. It makes for interesting reading.]
This an interview with some kind of 3-D video game Level developer:
"At night, I often dream about some weird places. Most of these are too "unreal"
or "weird" to do a good level, but sometimes there are really great ideas
coming like that. That's funny, right now I just woke up and I remember this
crazy dream were I was chased by a group of hysteric japanese girls (no kidding
they really wanted to kill me for some reason) and this took place in a weeeeeeeird
place. It was some kind of gothic cathedral built on top of a skycrapper,
supported by these huge pillars. The place was in Germany for some reason
since all the writings and all the people spoke german. Anyways that was too
strange it's not a good example."
Some Indian Movie Production Company talks about this interesting film.. Mohan
Joshi Hazir Ho A summons for Mohan Joshi 1984/130 mins/Col/Hindi/EST Dir:
Saeed Mirza Principal Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Dipti Naval, Bhishma Sahni,
Dina Pathak
Living in a dilapidated chawl, Mohan Joshi pleads with the landlord to get
the building repaired. But the landlord wanted every tenant to quit so that
he could build a skycrapper there and make lot of money. Frustrated, Joshi
goes to the court of law. But it wasn't so easy to get justice as he had idealistically
thought. Nothing happens to the culprits. Finally he sees the hollowness of
the system. He is left with nothing but a raging anger.
Festival Participation/Awards:
Indian Panorama, International Film Festival of India."
A reference from the Chamber of Commerce in Penang......
Skycrappers, Shopping Complexes
There are many distinguished shopping complexes in Penang which offers a variety
of products. There are mainly five main shopping complexes and many supermarkets.
One of the main five shopping complexes is KOMTAR, which is one of the earliest
skycrapper in Penang, and still is the tallest building in Penang. There are
four levels of shops inside the podium offer for bargain. And there are two
supermarket in adjacent with the podium, that is Lifestyle and Super Komtar.
The other four are One-Stop, Bukit Jambul Complex, Island Plaza and Bahagia
Complex. There are variety of shops in each shopping complex offers a variety
of high quality products
I thought Mr. Freakes might enjoy these references.....LOL.
- 6/8/00 Which state has the most outhouses? [Curator's Comment: I don't really
know the answer to that since I have not been to all 50 states. There are
a lot in Michigan, out West and in the South. I can't get more specific than
that!] GREAT GUESS!!!!!..............................sorry it's wrong :)
- I own an late 1800's farmhouse that had an outhouse still standing, when
I discovered it my wife and I were thrilled. it was in poor shape but not
that old "maybe rebuilt 20 years ago, so I decided to build a new one , I
am in the process of building it now, with rough cut lumber for the exterior
and decking for the floor for good drainage "if you know what I mean"...we
are keeping it as rustic as possible and I'm sure we will get use out of it
especially during parties...a great conversation piece!!! J D Belchertown
Ma. PS Love your tour !!!
- 6/1/00 I am a writer looking to do a whimsical travel piece on outhouses
in Southern California. Any resources I should see or thoughts on where to
start my quest?
- 5/28/00 My family and I are about to embark on a little vacation. I coolect
outhouses and ran across your outhouse tour and would like very much to visit
the shops in Pennsylvania. Could you please send some directions for this
place and other interesting areas of the same interest..
- Hello! I am looking for some place where I can get plans to build an outhouse.
Can you help me? If so please advise.
- 5/27/00 i was wondering if any of ur outshouses were for sale please email
me back soon :0)
- 5/27/00 Hello! I am looking for some place where I can get plans to build
an outhouse. Can you help me? If so please advise.
- 5/23/00 [More proof that this site is THE place to go on the Internet for
Outhouse information.] My San Jose Mercury News morning paper Monday 5/15/00
had an article on outhouses which steered me to your page. I have not explored
it fully so I will return for many more enjoyable visits and have passed the
URL on to my cousin Dick in New York State since we both grew up on a farm
and appreciate the humor. I thought I'd blow a gut laughing at the Pome about
Grandpa in the exploding outhouse. Thanks and Take Care,
- 5/23/00 I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A CARTOON THAT DEALS WITH A MAN AND WOMAN
HAVING ""SEX"" IN AN OUTHOUSE. THE REASON I ASK IS THAT THIS YEAR AT THE PREAKNESS
PIMLICO RACETRACK A GIRL MY DAUGHTER WORKS WITH TOLD HER THAT OF ALL PLACES
SHE LOST HER VIRGINITY AT THE OUTHOUSES IN THE INFIELD DURING THE RUNNING
OF THE PREAKNESS.SO HOW BETTER FITTING THAN TO SEND HER A CARTOON IN AN E-MAIL
CELEBRATING THIS OCCASION. YOU HAVE TO KNOW THIS GIRL SHE IS A REAL "BITC$#@,
AND I THINK IT WAS GREAT! EVERYONE HAS BEEN ON HER CASE BAD AND I HAVE BEEN
LOOKING FOR A CARTOON, HAVE YOU GOT ONE?
- 5/23/00 I have enjoyed the site and sent the URL to several friends.
- 5/21/00 I just visited your Outhouse Tour web site and I love it! I've bookmarked
it so I can return often to read the stories and see the great pictures. I
found my way to your site by a search I did for outhouses. I'm looking for
ideas for mine. I'm not actually building an outhouse but my husband and I
are re-modeling our bathroom to resemble the inside of an outhouse. It's a
lot of fun finding things to go in it and trying to disguise the things that
shouldn't be in it, (but have to be). Thanks for all the great ideas! One
question...do you know where I can find a (cheap) reproduction of a Sears
& Roebuck catalog? I really need one for the final touch. You can't have an
outhouse without a Sears & Roebuck catalog!!
- 5/15/00 We three modern day people were trying to find out the reason why
most of the outhouses have a crescent moon on the door, and who was responsible
for the first one. [Curator's Answer: Hi, Check out my faqs page at "http://www.jldr.com/ohindex_faqs.shtml"
for the answer to the moon. The first one was created after the guy missed
the hole in the dark and the wife went in after and sat down. The next night
a frying pan flew through the door and thus a moon appeared in the door!]
- 5/13/00 Do you have any information about the use of the words chic sale
(spell?) for an outhouse? [Yes, try this link: http://www.jldr.com/specialist.htm
- 5/11/00 Hi... I really like your Toilet paper holder. You wouldn't happen
to know where I might get the directions to build such a thing, would you?
Thanks for your time.... Norm
- Are there an outhouse diggers club in the Las Vegas, Nevada area???
- What was the name of the person who cleaned out the outhouse [shitmeister
- aka owner]
- Hi there my name is Lisa I live in British Columbia, Canada. My mother and
my mother in law have a thing for out houses they are looking for real wild
ideas for there outhouses they both have cabins in the interior .My mother
inlaw wants to do her outhouse in a scene of the pink panther. My mom wants
to do hers in real old pictures of outhouse ,I am wondering if you sell a
or have a calender or some old pictures I can print off my computer and I
can put them in old rustic frames to put in her out house for a gag Christmas
gift she has a real thing for outhouse’s I would greatly appreciate it if
you could get back to me or if you can give me some decorating ideas for my
mother ,that I can do for her for Christmas that has to do about outhouses.
Thank you sincerely Lisa
- I was looking for the famous ,Pa. federaly funded outhouse when I came
across this site. It is MARVELOUS. Am sending it to my sons. They will enjoy
it. I grew up with a 3 holer myself. Was I ever scared when I had to go out
there in the dark. BUT it was a good place to get out of doing the dishes.
Keep up the good work. mona
- 5/4/00 This is my second visit to your site. It is wonderful, full of
information.
I am a student of folklore at Indiana University-Kokomo.
I am trying to complete a project on outhouses- early american architecture.
I am looking for further information. Do you know of anyone in Indiana that
collects outhouse buildings. I need to interview someone within the state
to complete the project. The pictures from your site have helped tremendously
toward making my project unique.
- 5/1/00 I read (with great interest and admiration, don't know if I could
go down in some of those pits!) his writing on the subject of outhouse digging.
Thanks, by the way, for including it in your web. I'm a writer, working on
a piece about this very thing, digging. The who, what, when, where, how and
most importantly, the why of it all. As you well know, there is no listing
in the phonebook for folks who do this. (Can't imagine why.) So my research
has been rather slow. I would love to quote Mr. Cook and anyone else, for
that matter, who would care to talk with me. The piece will be included in
a book of short essays focusing on the little town in which I live, Conesus,
New York. The people, events, the interesting and the overlooked. Outhouse
digging certainly ranks right up there in the Interesting category. (no pun
intended with the word rank) We have our own local digger whom I will inform
about your site. I know he will enjoy it too.
- 5/1/00 Do you have or know where I could get some plans to build an
outhouse?
- 4/30/00 hi I recently got the outhouse"bug" and decorated my bathroom
with an outhouse border and some pictures. Do you know where I can get outhouse
stuff? Thanks. Na I enjoyed your website. Paula
- 4/29/00 [Stand by for some pictures of this one!] We have been contracted
to build an outhouse for a client here in Washington State(Huskie Football!!!).
This job was contracted on the net and plans and ideas were faxed back and
forth. My brother is the contracter and asked if I new anything about them.
I sead our late uncle had three on his farm and I could still remember how
they looked. He asked if I would be interested in doing the work and I sead
I would take the job. He then showed me the price he was charging and I was
shocked at how high it was. I jockingly told our parrents who both work for
a state park here and they thought the price was too low! They sead the state
had just instaled two single seaters on the park and one was fifeteen thousand
and the other was thirty five. I was floored! So the cost of the one I am
building doesn't seem so high now. The client already had an old outhouse
on their vacation property but it was small an listing about thirty degees
to port. I was given the basic layout and the rest was up to me. So heres
some particulars. The base is five by five with eight foot elivation in the
front wall and six foot five for the back wall. Everything is built from cedar
except the toilet seat. All studs etc., are cedar. The interior is sheathed
in Alaska yellow cedar three inch T and G layed horizontaly this includes
the cieling too. The seat base I built using half in., marine plywood I had
laying around and caped it with half in., by six western cedar. This half
by six is going on the floor overtop left over pieces of the yellow cedar.
I perchased a small leaded glass window from an stained glass artist down
the road and built a frame for it. There is only one window for light but
the yellow cedar will keep it bright inside. For night use, the customer thought
tap lights woud be a good addition. The seat is offset to the right side of
bench so that the left side can be used for a changing seat. The roof is cedar
shake and the exterior sideing is shake panels and everthing is trimmed with
five quarter by two rough cut cedar that will be left to age naturally. All
this will be set on a stone foundation. Were building this in our shop and
transporting it eighty miles to the site.
- 4/27/00 Love your site, can't believe I spent 4 1/2 hours here ! (new
record for me) Thought I would let you know about an outhouse museum in Huntington,
IN...... They have actual outhouses collected from all over. None have a hole
underneath them, for they have been moved for show. Next time I get down near
there, I will try to take a few pictures and send them.
- 4/24/00 I would love to see catigories on your site about where we can
purchase some of the outhouse decorations. I live in Wisconsin and outhouse
decore is very hard to find.
- 4/23/00 I love it?
- 4/23/00 A long time ago you made an entry in my Oran Iowa guestbook
with a built-in link to your Famous Outhouse Tour. And then one day someone
told me it didn't work anymore.
So I did all kinds of searches looking to see if you had a new home and I
never found it. I also had made a link to your site on my 2-story outhouse
page which I then removed.
But now in my log files I saw where someone had linked here from your new
site! So I nabbed the new URL, fixed your old guestbook entry, and put our
link back on the 2-story page.
Obviously you have continued the outhouse project somewhere because it is
now bigger and better than ever! Where have you been?
Keep up the good work!
- 4/20/00 Greetings......
I remember them well......some were still in use in Kansas in the '50's when
I was growing up.
The song lyrics from the last comment seem to be the most accurate. I actually
have a recording of that song......it is a tape of a very scratchy record,
but is acceptable.
I have laughed everytime I heard it and have had to explain some of the finer
points of Outhouse etiquette to certain city folks that have not had the pleasure.
Especially about yellowjackets and how you truly hate to hear the MUTED buzz
after you have sat down and the 'performance' has started, especially in a
one-holer with no other escape hatch for them. It is also not acceptable to
tip one over when occupied. A lesson we learned on Halloween (it was a tradition
to tip outhouses on Halloween).
Enjoyed your site. Thanks for the memories...
- 4/19/00 Hope the critters don't take over for a home.
- 4/17/00 2 days late!!!!!!!!!!!! Built this heer privy on my own. Dang
proud of it too! Tnat got kno piks, buttttt wright proud of it. Tkanks four
da replayyyyyyyy. RICK
- 4/16/00 The best site I have seen on this subject. Keep up the good
work.
- 4/16/00 Love your outhouse web site! Do you know where to look for outhouse
wallpaper and borders?
- 4/10/00 Loved your website. It made me laugh so had I almost peed myself.
BTW: I assume that you know of:
Newton-White, Muriel E., BACKHOUSES OF THE NORTH, Cobalt,
Ont.: Highway BookShop, 1985 (19th printing Illus., 39p.).
If you haven't seen it, I heartily recommend it.
- 4/9/00 I also remember hearing Billy Edd Wheeler's remake of "Ode to
the Little Brown Shack".
As your other reader recalled, some of it went something like this: The slight
variations I recall are in parenthesis...
Oh, the Interstate is coming through (my) outhouse,
They (tell me) it's on their right-of-way,
They'll (bring) a big steam roller, and flatten my two-holer,
I'm making my last visit there today.
I recall a bit more, something like
Those engineers made 47 surveys
They said to put it there and that was that
They'll bring a big steamroller and flatten my two-holer
But I'll keep right on voting democrat
There was also a verse about strolling out on a moonlit night and waking up
in a freeway interchange.
I'm willing to bet you'll find all the lyrics in this book:
http://www.augusthouse.com/0-87483-058-3.htm
- 4/9/00 [Speaking about the Rosendale,
Minnesota Outhouse] Having been born and raised within a mile of this
church, It brought back memories of our outhouse on the farm. I don't know
who designed or built it. But they had to be either very tall or not much
thought was put into the design. The two holler was so tall no one in our
family could set there and have their feet touch the floor. As kids we had
an apple box to climb up on then turn around and sit down. In the winter in
Minnesota, after brushing snow off the seats, climbing up on the apple box,
holding your trousers a flashlight and mittens was not an easy task. Many
mittens and flashlights were dropped in the hole.
- 4/3/00 i am searching for some plans i had but lost for an ordorless
outhouse. i got them about eleven years ago while on a bicycle trip at a national
or state park i do not remember which. my nephew's industrial ed class would
like to build some... and i would be their first customer. i just found your
web site thru ask jeeves, it is late and i need to sleep, but i am sending
it to my nephew and bookmark it for myself.i have a few good outhouse pictures
and stories myself and have always found them interesting, practical and entertaining.
i know i will enjoy viewing this site. thank you for your time and effort
regarding this question and provideing this web site. - judith
- 4/2/00 ya got any plans for an outhouse?
- 4/3/00 And I really need an honest answer.....My step daughter wants
to know why there is a crescent moon on the door of an outhouse and not another
shape. I know I have read the answer somewhere.....just can't for the life
of me remember the answer. Thanks!!
- 3/31/00 I can't believe this !!!! I have never laughed so hard in all
my life !!!!
I just bought a house on the Chesapeake Bay and it has an old outhouse in
the back. I want to restore it, so I came on the Internet to get some ideas
how it should look. I have never had so much fun looking at poopers. This
site is the GREATEST!!!! my friends and I will be at the outhouse classics
next year. This is great !!!! you have made my weekend. I will have to take
pictures of my outhouse before and after.
Keep up the good work !!!!
A fellow pooper!!!!!
- 3/27/00 I found your website quite by accident. I was looking up hillbilly
restaurants and the search engine brought up the outhouse website. LOL!!!
Anyway, I have truly enjoyed viewing the outhouse race pictures. I never knew
anything like this existed. Thank you for the narrations of the pictures also.
My vote would be the White House with Bill, Monica and Linda.
- 3/00 I am desperately in search of the prints by Martha Hinson listed
on your web site and have to no avail had any luck. Can you please help me
locate someone who carries these or knows how to contact Martha Hinson. (Look
in stores where framed prints are sold).
- 3/00 Are there not several verses missing from Riley's poem. If memory
serves me correctly, It began something like this: " When memory keeps me
company and moves me to smile or tears
A weather beaten object looms through the mist of years.
Behind the house and barn it stood........"
- 3/00 Can't tell you how much I enjoyed your web-site. I get a real funny
look from folks when I tell them I am interested in outhouses. I am relieved
to know I am not alone. I did not know there were so many people interested
in outhouse lore. I only have 4 books on the subject and one ceramic figurine
posing as a coin bank but I continue to look. The outhouse is a fading commodity
and part of our heritage. No two are exactly alike. Every now and then I am
fortunate enough to get a snapshot of one, but they are few and far between.
Many moons ago when I was around 6 years old my Granny and I took a trip to
Ada, W. Va. Her sister had an outhouse down a narrow path from the back of
the house. Being a city kid from Cinti. Ohio I hated that little shed. Especially
when a very large snake crossed the path in front of me. Being older and wiser
now I regard my visits to the two-holer as a touch with nostalgia. Snake and
all.
- 3/00 I am decorating my bathroom in the Outhouse theme and was wondering
where you have been able to locate all the outhouses in your collection. I
would love to find some to decorate with. I you wouldn't mind you could send
me an E-mail with some help in finding some Outhouses.
- 3/00 I think your site is very well done. I needed an outhouse image
for my juno site nuclearouthouseI like your pictures
- 3/00 hey what a site i have a camp site next to texas motor speedway
in fort worth texas......i have to order about 18 out houses for the big nascar
race, at $75.00 a pop i could build a few nice cans....do you have any plans
to build a outhouse.......one year we had 1 outhouse during a big rock fest
.we parked 1600 cars on my place... that can looked bad real bad........
- 3/00 Why do outhouses have a crescent moon on the door?
- 3/00 We have just visited your homepage and we thought that you may
be the expert that we have been looking for. My sister and I are doing a social
studies project on outhouses. We live in West Virginia and hear our parents
talking about building an outhouse at our camp. We became interested when
we lost our battle for a bathroom at the camp. We need more information on
the history of the outhouse and when they were replaced with indoor plumbing.
Thanks in advance for your help.
- 3/00 [A very funny joke!] The old hillbilly was sitting on the porch
whittling, when his wife walked up and informed him the outhouse needed repaired.
He walked out and took a look. Went inside and looked around. He saw a few
holes in the roof. He went out to the garbage dump and found some old cans
and went to his shop to cut them open and heat up some tar. He found some
nails and fixed the roof. The next day his wife yelled at him and said, "I
told you to fix the outhouse, now get to it". Again, he walked out to the
outhouse and checked it out. This time he seen some cracks in the walls. Walking
out to the barn he found some scrapes of lumber and some old nails he had
to straighten out, but he boarded up all the cracks and hung some more cardboard
on the inside to cut down on the wind. The next day his wife yelled at him
to get off his lazy ass and fix the outhouse and to make sure you do it right
this time. Again, he wandered down to the outhouse. this time he took his
time checking it out. He looked the roof over again and didn't see any holes.
He checked out all the walls and didn't find any cracks. He even checked the
door hinges and lock and couldn't find anything wrong. He stood there for
a little while pulling on his beard trying to think of what else he needed
to check. Then he thought he would check out the hole and see if was getting
filled up or if there was enough lime down there. He stuck his head down in
the hole and was looking around. His wife came up from behind him and said,
"Did you find the problem yet?" It scared the old boy and he jerked his head
out of the hole and got his beard caught in a crack in the front of the hole.
"ouch", he yelled holding on to his beard. His old lady started laughing and
said, "Now you know first hand what I was asking you to do all along".
- 3/00 HEY ! I was just made aware of your website this morning when a
neighbor who's daughter now livingin International Falls stubled across a
picture of the Rosendale Church out house right by where I live. In fact I
think the design of that church may have came over from Askvol Norway in 1867
when my great grandfather immgrated to the farm I'm on . Theres a church exactly
like it named the rosendale church in Askvol in fact my great great grandfather's
brother Anders Askvold who lived between 1834-1900 painted a alter painting
in it.He was a starving poor painter all his life now he's a famous dead one
with over 1000 paintings to his credit....Anyway seeing a picture of this
outhouse is a little bit of a surprise and I like your web page layouts they
look good.
- 3/00 Whats Sir Harington's birthday? [If anyone knows this one, Email
the curator.]
- 3/00 would like to get plans how to build one. just for decoration for
yard a conversation piece i guess. do you know of one? please reply thank
you R. Stewart
- 3/2/00 I really enjoyed your site! I have just purchased an old log
cabin in central Michigan and would like to add an outhouse (no plumbing there
now!). I looked for an actual construction design, but found only pictures
of finished products. Maybe it is just too simple to need a plan--I mean to
build one? But, for example, how deep should the hole be? How far from a well
should one be placed? Are there any companies/folks that still build them
for commercial sale?
Another possibility is a plumbable outhouse. One of your links talks about
plans to market such a beast; apparently such a think is not yet available?
Any links and/or other suggestions for my project would be much appreciated!
- 2/29/00 Hi!!!!!!
I saw your site way back when in Yahoo. WOW!!!!! Has the site come a long
way. My sister is here visiting from CA and she is very computer illerate
and does not know how to or where to get info on a great site. She will crack
up when I show her your site in the morning. Thank you!!!!
Lynn
- 2/29/00 I found your site while researching a quetion. I found my exact
question in your comments page. Please advise, Why the cresent moon on the
door and what does it mean? Thanks, Tim
- 2/29/00 I thoroughly enjoyed your site.. who could imagine outhouse
races? I do have one problem with it, though. On your 'Ode to the Backhouse'
by James Whitcomb Riley, I could only find half of it... Do you have the rest
of it out here somewhere and I just can't find it? If not, I would be glad
to send it to you. I always knew it as 'The Passing of the Old Backhouse'.
My dad, who was born in 1900 and grew up using 'backhouses', recited the entire
work from memory. He also told many stories about happenings concerning backhouses
during his younger years. Great site!
- 2/26/00 One of my fondest childhood memories is visiting my cousins
in Metropolis, Il in the 40s. The outhouse was a great place! One of my happiest
times is when my girl cousin and I would go into their "double seater" (a
luxury) and we'd sit side by side and look at the thick catalog used for wiping
paper (another luxury for some people had corn cobs...ouch!). We loved looking
at the very thick colorful catalog. We'd talk about what we would buy when
we became rich.. We'd tear out and keep the pages of toys, pretty clothes
but would choose hunting equipment, men's work shoes, etc for wiping on. We
would sit in there for a long time knowing that it had a smell but we did
not care for it was one place the boys could not follow us and we had privacy.
It's funny how we both had to go at the same time or one would go just to
keep the other company. The boys would get mad at us for our advantage and
go tell an adult that they had to go and then we'd have to leave but we would
hang around outside to figure out if they lied or really had to use it. I
remember there was not a wall below the seats. Under each seat was a straw
basket that was reused after a man with a horse and wagon came and carried
away the human waste. I always wondered why anyone in their sane mind would
do such a thing. Now I know it was for manure. The outhouse was located some
distance from the house (because of the smell). It was most unpleasant on
winter days and I'd hold off as long as I could and keeping my coat above
my waist was a problem. When anyone was taking pictures, they always said,
"stand away from the outhouse, don't want the outhouse in the picture". One
of my favorite pictures is of the family standing in front of the outhouse
but you would not know it because there are so many of us that we covered
its view. That backyard was our play area. I remember the Billy goat butting
me across the yard, pass the outhouse. The horse always knew where to find
us for he liked to play too. I was always so glad to be back home for we had
real plumbing.....in doors! Sorry to get so carried away. Neva-Jane
- 2/22/00 I am searching for the funny story called the talking outhouse.
Have you ever heard of it? I believe the artists last name was Daniels and
I heard it on the radio a few times in the late '70's. Please let me know
it you know where I can fine it. Thanks Jen
- 2/22/00 A couple of years ago I used a USFS outhouse in Michigan's Northern
Peninsula. It was located by the Sturgeon Falls, North of Sidnaw and South
of Baraga. The pit an it's cover was actually
have a recording of that song......it is a tape of a very scratchy record,
but is acceptable.
I have laughed everytime I heard it and have had to explain some of the finer
points of Outhouse etiquette to certain city folks that have not had the pleasure.
Especially about yellowjackets and how you truly hate to hear the MUTED buzz
after you have sat down and the 'performance' has started, especially in a
one-holer with no other escape hatch for them. It is also not acceptable to
tip one over when occupied. A lesson we learned on Halloween (it was a tradition
to tip outhouses on Halloween).
Enjoyed your site. Thanks for the memories...
- 4/19/00 Hope the critters don't take over for a home.
- 4/17/00 2 days late!!!!!!!!!!!! Built this heer privy on my own. Dang
proud of it too! Tnat got kno piks, buttttt wright proud of it. Tkanks four
da replayyyyyyyy. RICK
- 4/16/00 The best site I have seen on this subject. Keep up the good
work.
- 4/16/00 Love your outhouse web site! Do you know where to look for outhouse
wallpaper and borders?
- 4/10/00 Loved your website. It made me laugh so had I almost peed myself.
BTW: I assume that you know of:
Newton-White, Muriel E., BACKHOUSES OF THE NORTH, Cobalt,
Ont.: Highway BookShop, 1985 (19th printing Illus., 39p.).
If you haven't seen it, I heartily recommend it.
- 4/9/00 I also remember hearing Billy Edd Wheeler's remake of "Ode to
the Little Brown Shack".
As your other reader recalled, some of it went something like this: The slight
variations I recall are in parenthesis...
Oh, the Interstate is coming through (my) outhouse,
They (tell me) it's on their right-of-way,
They'll (bring) a big steam roller, and flatten my two-holer,
I'm making my last visit there today.
I recall a bit more, something like
Those engineers made 47 surveys
They said to put it there and that was that
They'll bring a big steamroller and flatten my two-holer
But I'll keep right on voting democrat
There was also a verse about strolling out on a moonlit night and waking up
in a freeway interchange.
I'm willing to bet you'll find all the lyrics in this book:
http://www.augusthouse.com/0-87483-058-3.htm
- 4/9/00 [Speaking about the Rosendale,
Minnesota Outhouse] Having been born and raised within a mile of this
church, It brought back memories of our outhouse on the farm. I don't know
who designed or built it. But they had to be either very tall or not much
thought was put into the design. The two holler was so tall no one in our
family could set there and have their feet touch the floor. As kids we had
an apple box to climb up on then turn around and sit down. In the winter in
Minnesota, after brushing snow off the seats, climbing up on the apple box,
holding your trousers a flashlight and mittens was not an easy task. Many
mittens and flashlights were dropped in the hole.
- 4/3/00 i am searching for some plans i had but lost for an ordorless
outhouse. i got them about eleven years ago while on a bicycle trip at a national
or state park i do not remember which. my nephew's industrial ed class would
like to build some... and i would be their first customer. i just found your
web site thru ask jeeves, it is late and i need to sleep, but i am sending
it to my nephew and bookmark it for myself.i have a few good outhouse pictures
and stories myself and have always found them interesting, practical and entertaining.
i know i will enjoy viewing this site. thank you for your time and effort
regarding this question and provideing this web site. - judith
- 4/2/00 ya got any plans for an outhouse?
- 4/3/00 And I really need an honest answer.....My step daughter wants
to know why there is a crescent moon on the door of an outhouse and not another
shape. I know I have read the answer somewhere.....just can't for the life
of me remember the answer. Thanks!!
- 3/31/00 I can't believe this !!!! I have never laughed so hard in all
my life !!!!
I just bought a house on the Chesapeake Bay and it has an old outhouse in
the back. I want to restore it, so I came on the Internet to get some ideas
how it should look. I have never had so much fun looking at poopers. This
site is the GREATEST!!!! my friends and I will be at the outhouse classics
next year. This is great !!!! you have made my weekend. I will have to take
pictures of my outhouse before and after.
Keep up the good work !!!!
A fellow pooper!!!!!
- 3/27/00 I found your website quite by accident. I was looking up hillbilly
restaurants and the search engine brought up the outhouse website. LOL!!!
Anyway, I have truly enjoyed viewing the outhouse race pictures. I never knew
anything like this existed. Thank you for the narrations of the pictures also.
My vote would be the White House with Bill, Monica and Linda.
- 3/00 I am desperately in search of the prints by Martha Hinson listed
on your web site and have to no avail had any luck. Can you please help me
locate someone who carries these or knows how to contact Martha Hinson. (Look
in stores where framed prints are sold).
- 3/00 Are there not several verses missing from Riley's poem. If memory
serves me correctly, It began something like this: " When memory keeps me
company and moves me to smile or tears
A weather beaten object looms through the mist of years.
Behind the house and barn it stood........"
- 3/00 Can't tell you how much I enjoyed your web-site. I get a real funny
look from folks when I tell them I am interested in outhouses. I am relieved
to know I am not alone. I did not know there were so many people interested
in outhouse lore. I only have 4 books on the subject and one ceramic figurine
posing as a coin bank but I continue to look. The outhouse is a fading commodity
and part of our heritage. No two are exactly alike. Every now and then I am
fortunate enough to get a snapshot of one, but they are few and far between.
Many moons ago when I was around 6 years old my Granny and I took a trip to
Ada, W. Va. Her sister had an outhouse down a narrow path from the back of
the house. Being a city kid from Cinti. Ohio I hated that little shed. Especially
when a very large snake crossed the path in front of me. Being older and wiser
now I regard my visits to the two-holer as a touch with nostalgia. Snake and
all.
- 3/00 I am decorating my bathroom in the Outhouse theme and was wondering
where you have been able to locate all the outhouses in your collection. I
would love to find some to decorate with. I you wouldn't mind you could send
me an E-mail with some help in finding some Outhouses.
- 3/00 I think your site is very well done. I needed an outhouse image
for my juno site nuclearouthouseI like your pictures
- 3/00 hey what a site i have a camp site next to texas motor speedway
in fort worth texas......i have to order about 18 out houses for the big nascar
race, at $75.00 a pop i could build a few nice cans....do you have any plans
to build a outhouse.......one year we had 1 outhouse during a big rock fest
.we parked 1600 cars on my place... that can looked bad real bad........
- 3/00 Why do outhouses have a crescent moon on the door?
- 3/00 We have just visited your homepage and we thought that you may
be the expert that we have been looking for. My sister and I are doing a social
studies project on outhouses. We live in West Virginia and hear our parents
talking about building an outhouse at our camp. We became interested when
we lost our battle for a bathroom at the camp. We need more information on
the history of the outhouse and when they were replaced with indoor plumbing.
Thanks in advance for your help.
- 3/00 [A very funny joke!] The old hillbilly was sitting on the porch
whittling, when his wife walked up and informed him the outhouse needed repaired.
He walked out and took a look. Went inside and looked around. He saw a few
holes in the roof. He went out to the garbage dump and found some old cans
and went to his shop to cut them open and heat up some tar. He found some
nails and fixed the roof. The next day his wife yelled at him and said, "I
told you to fix the outhouse, now get to it". Again, he walked out to the
outhouse and checked it out. This time he seen some cracks in the walls. Walking
out to the barn he found some scrapes of lumber and some old nails he had
to straighten out, but he boarded up all the cracks and hung some more cardboard
on the inside to cut down on the wind. The next day his wife yelled at him
to get off his lazy ass and fix the outhouse and to make sure you do it right
this time. Again, he wandered down to the outhouse. this time he took his
time checking it out. He looked the roof over again and didn't see any holes.
He checked out all the walls and didn't find any cracks. He even checked the
door hinges and lock and couldn't find anything wrong. He stood there for
a little while pulling on his beard trying to think of what else he needed
to check. Then he thought he would check out the hole and see if was getting
filled up or if there was enough lime down there. He stuck his head down in
the hole and was looking around. His wife came up from behind him and said,
"Did you find the problem yet?" It scared the old boy and he jerked his head
out of the hole and got his beard caught in a crack in the front of the hole.
"ouch", he yelled holding on to his beard. His old lady started laughing and
said, "Now you know first hand what I was asking you to do all along".
- 3/00 HEY ! I was just made aware of your website this morning when a
neighbor who's daughter now livingin International Falls stubled across a
picture of the Rosendale Church out house right by where I live. In fact I
think the design of that church may have came over from Askvol Norway in 1867
when my great grandfather immgrated to the farm I'm on . Theres a church exactly
like it named the rosendale church in Askvol in fact my great great grandfather's
brother Anders Askvold who lived between 1834-1900 painted a alter painting
in it.He was a starving poor painter all his life now he's a famous dead one
with over 1000 paintings to his credit....Anyway seeing a picture of this
outhouse is a little bit of a surprise and I like your web page layouts they
look good.
- 3/00 Whats Sir Harington's birthday? [If anyone knows this one, Email
the curator.]
- 3/00 would like to get plans how to build one. just for decoration for
yard a conversation piece i guess. do you know of one? please reply thank
you R. Stewart
- 3/2/00 I really enjoyed your site! I have just purchased an old log
cabin in central Michigan and would like to add an outhouse (no plumbing there
now!). I looked for an actual construction design, but found only pictures
of finished products. Maybe it is just too simple to need a plan--I mean to
build one? But, for example, how deep should the hole be? How far from a well
should one be placed? Are there any companies/folks that still build them
for commercial sale?
Another possibility is a plumbable outhouse. One of your links talks about
plans to market such a beast; apparently such a think is not yet available?
Any links and/or other suggestions for my project would be much appreciated!
- 2/29/00 Hi!!!!!!
I saw your site way back when in Yahoo. WOW!!!!! Has the site come a long
way. My sister is here visiting from CA and she is very computer illerate
and does not know how to or where to get info on a great site. She will crack
up when I show her your site in the morning. Thank you!!!!
Lynn
- 2/29/00 I found your site while researching a quetion. I found my exact
question in your comments page. Please advise, Why the cresent moon on the
door and what does it mean? Thanks, Tim
- 2/29/00 I thoroughly enjoyed your site.. who could imagine outhouse
races? I do have one problem with it, though. On your 'Ode to the Backhouse'
by James Whitcomb Riley, I could only find half of it... Do you have the rest
of it out here somewhere and I just can't find it? If not, I would be glad
to send it to you. I always knew it as 'The Passing of the Old Backhouse'.
My dad, who was born in 1900 and grew up using 'backhouses', recited the entire
work from memory. He also told many stories about happenings concerning backhouses
during his younger years. Great site!
- 2/26/00 One of my fondest childhood memories is visiting my cousins
in Metropolis, Il in the 40s. The outhouse was a great place! One of my happiest
times is when my girl cousin and I would go into their "double seater" (a
luxury) and we'd sit side by side and look at the thick catalog used for wiping
paper (another luxury for some people had corn cobs...ouch!). We loved looking
at the very thick colorful catalog. We'd talk about what we would buy when
we became rich.. We'd tear out and keep the pages of toys, pretty clothes
but would choose hunting equipment, men's work shoes, etc for wiping on. We
would sit in there for a long time knowing that it had a smell but we did
not care for it was one place the boys could not follow us and we had privacy.
It's funny how we both had to go at the same time or one would go just to
keep the other company. The boys would get mad at us for our advantage and
go tell an adult that they had to go and then we'd have to leave but we would
hang around outside to figure out if they lied or really had to use it. I
remember there was not a wall below the seats. Under each seat was a straw
basket that was reused after a man with a horse and wagon came and carried
away the human waste. I always wondered why anyone in their sane mind would
do such a thing. Now I know it was for manure. The outhouse was located some
distance from the house (because of the smell). It was most unpleasant on
winter days and I'd hold off as long as I could and keeping my coat above
my waist was a problem. When anyone was taking pictures, they always said,
"stand away from the outhouse, don't want the outhouse in the picture". One
of my favorite pictures is of the family standing in front of the outhouse
but you would not know it because there are so many of us that we covered
its view. That backyard was our play area. I remember the Billy goat butting
me across the yard, pass the outhouse. The horse always knew where to find
us for he liked to play too. I was always so glad to be back home for we had
real plumbing.....in doors! Sorry to get so carried away. Neva-Jane
- 2/22/00 I am searching for the funny story called the talking outhouse.
Have you ever heard of it? I believe the artists last name was Daniels and
I heard it on the radio a few times in the late '70's. Please let me know
it you know where I can fine it. Thanks Jen
- 2/22/00 A couple of years ago I used a USFS outhouse in Michigan's Northern
Peninsula. It was located by the Sturgeon Falls, North of Sidnaw and South
of Baraga. The pit an it's cover was actually
have a recording of that song......it is a tape of a very scratchy record,
but is acceptable.
I have laughed everytime I heard it and have had to explain some of the finer
points of Outhouse etiquette to certain city folks that have not had the pleasure.
Especially about yellowjackets and how you truly hate to hear the MUTED buzz
after you have sat down and the 'performance' has started, especially in a
one-holer with no other escape hatch for them. It is also not acceptable to
tip one over when occupied. A lesson we learned on Halloween (it was a tradition
to tip outhouses on Halloween).
Enjoyed your site. Thanks for the memories...
- 4/19/00 Hope the critters don't take over for a home.
- 4/17/00 2 days late!!!!!!!!!!!! Built this heer privy on my own. Dang
proud of it too! Tnat got kno piks, buttttt wright proud of it. Tkanks four
da replayyyyyyyy. RICK
- 4/16/00 The best site I have seen on this subject. Keep up the good
work.
- 4/16/00 Love your outhouse web site! Do you know where to look for outhouse
wallpaper and borders?
- 4/10/00 Loved your website. It made me laugh so had I almost peed myself.
BTW: I assume that you know of:
Newton-White, Muriel E., BACKHOUSES OF THE NORTH, Cobalt,
Ont.: Highway BookShop, 1985 (19th printing Illus., 39p.).
If you haven't seen it, I heartily recommend it.
- 4/9/00 I also remember hearing Billy Edd Wheeler's remake of "Ode to
the Little Brown Shack".
As your other reader recalled, some of it went something like this: The slight
variations I recall are in parenthesis...
Oh, the Interstate is coming through (my) outhouse,
They (tell me) it's on their right-of-way,
They'll (bring) a big steam roller, and flatten my two-holer,
I'm making my last visit there today.
I recall a bit more, something like
Those engineers made 47 surveys
They said to put it there and that was that
They'll bring a big steamroller and flatten my two-holer
But I'll keep right on voting democrat
There was also a verse about strolling out on a moonlit night and waking up
in a freeway interchange.
I'm willing to bet you'll find all the lyrics in this book:
http://www.augusthouse.com/0-87483-058-3.htm
- 4/9/00 [Speaking about the Rosendale,
Minnesota Outhouse] Having been born and raised within a mile of this
church, It brought back memories of our outhouse on the farm. I don't know
who designed or built it. But they had to be either very tall or not much
thought was put into the design. The two holler was so tall no one in our
family could set there and have their feet touch the floor. As kids we had
an apple box to climb up on then turn around and sit down. In the winter in
Minnesota, after brushing snow off the seats, climbing up on the apple box,
holding your trousers a flashlight and mittens was not an easy task. Many
mittens and flashlights were dropped in the hole.
- 4/3/00 i am searching for some plans i had but lost for an ordorless
outhouse. i got them about eleven years ago while on a bicycle trip at a national
or state park i do not remember which. my nephew's industrial ed class would
like to build some... and i would be their first customer. i just found your
web site thru ask jeeves, it is late and i need to sleep, but i am sending
it to my nephew and bookmark it for myself.i have a few good outhouse pictures
and stories myself and have always found them interesting, practical and entertaining.
i know i will enjoy viewing this site. thank you for your time and effort
regarding this question and provideing this web site. - judith
- 4/2/00 ya got any plans for an outhouse?
- 4/3/00 And I really need an honest answer.....My step daughter wants
to know why there is a crescent moon on the door of an outhouse and not another
shape. I know I have read the answer somewhere.....just can't for the life
of me remember the answer. Thanks!!
- 3/31/00 I can't believe this !!!! I have never laughed so hard in all
my life !!!!
I just bought a house on the Chesapeake Bay and it has an old outhouse in
the back. I want to restore it, so I came on the Internet to get some ideas
how it should look. I have never had so much fun looking at poopers. This
site is the GREATEST!!!! my friends and I will be at the outhouse classics
next year. This is great !!!! you have made my weekend. I will have to take
pictures of my outhouse before and after.
Keep up the good work !!!!
A fellow pooper!!!!!
- 3/27/00 I found your website quite by accident. I was looking up hillbilly
restaurants and the search engine brought up the outhouse website. LOL!!!
Anyway, I have truly enjoyed viewing the outhouse race pictures. I never knew
anything like this existed. Thank you for the narrations of the pictures also.
My vote would be the White House with Bill, Monica and Linda.
- 3/00 I am desperately in search of the prints by Martha Hinson listed
on your web site and have to no avail had any luck. Can you please help me
locate someone who carries these or knows how to contact Martha Hinson. (Look
in stores where framed prints are sold).
- 3/00 Are there not several verses missing from Riley's poem. If memory
serves me correctly, It began something like this: " When memory keeps me
company and moves me to smile or tears
A weather beaten object looms through the mist of years.
Behind the house and barn it stood........"
- 3/00 Can't tell you how much I enjoyed your web-site. I get a real funny
look from folks when I tell them I am interested in outhouses. I am relieved
to know I am not alone. I did not know there were so many people interested
in outhouse lore. I only have 4 books on the subject and one ceramic figurine
posing as a coin bank but I continue to look. The outhouse is a fading commodity
and part of our heritage. No two are exactly alike. Every now and then I am
fortunate enough to get a snapshot of one, but they are few and far between.
Many moons ago when I was around 6 years old my Granny and I took a trip to
Ada, W. Va. Her sister had an outhouse down a narrow path from the back of
the house. Being a city kid from Cinti. Ohio I hated that little shed. Especially
when a very large snake crossed the path in front of me. Being older and wiser
now I regard my visits to the two-holer as a touch with nostalgia. Snake and
all.
- 3/00 I am decorating my bathroom in the Outhouse theme and was wondering
where you have been able to locate all the outhouses in your collection. I
would love to find some to decorate with. I you wouldn't mind you could send
me an E-mail with some help in finding some Outhouses.
- 3/00 I think your site is very well done. I needed an outhouse image
for my juno site nuclearouthouseI like your pictures
- 3/00 hey what a site i have a camp site next to texas motor speedway
in fort worth texas......i have to order about 18 out houses for the big nascar
race, at $75.00 a pop i could build a few nice cans....do you have any plans
to build a outhouse.......one year we had 1 outhouse during a big rock fest
.we parked 1600 cars on my place... that can looked bad real bad........
- 3/00 Why do outhouses have a crescent moon on the door?
- 3/00 We have just visited your homepage and we thought that you may
be the expert that we have been looking for. My sister and I are doing a social
studies project on outhouses. We live in West Virginia and hear our parents
talking about building an outhouse at our camp. We became interested when
we lost our battle for a bathroom at the camp. We need more information on
the history of the outhouse and when they were replaced with indoor plumbing.
Thanks in advance for your help.
- 3/00 [A very funny joke!] The old hillbilly was sitting on the porch
whittling, when his wife walked up and informed him the outhouse needed repaired.
He walked out and took a look. Went inside and looked around. He saw a few
holes in the roof. He went out to the garbage dump and found some old cans
and went to his shop to cut them open and heat up some tar. He found some
nails and fixed the roof. The next day his wife yelled at him and said, "I
told you to fix the outhouse, now get to it". Again, he walked out to the
outhouse and checked it out. This time he seen some cracks in the walls. Walking
out to the barn he found some scrapes of lumber and some old nails he had
to straighten out, but he boarded up all the cracks and hung some more cardboard
on the inside to cut down on the wind. The next day his wife yelled at him
to get off his lazy ass and fix the outhouse and to make sure you do it right
this time. Again, he wandered down to the outhouse. this time he took his
time checking it out. He looked the roof over again and didn't see any holes.
He checked out all the walls and didn't find any cracks. He even checked the
door hinges and lock and couldn't find anything wrong. He stood there for
a little while pulling on his beard trying to think of what else he needed
to check. Then he thought he would check out the hole and see if was getting
filled up or if there was enough lime down there. He stuck his head down in
the hole and was looking around. His wife came up from behind him and said,
"Did you find the problem yet?" It scared the old boy and he jerked his head
out of the hole and got his beard caught in a crack in the front of the hole.
"ouch", he yelled holding on to his beard. His old lady started laughing and
said, "Now you know first hand what I was asking you to do all along".
- 3/00 HEY ! I was just made aware of your website this morning when a
neighbor who's daughter now livingin International Falls stubled across a
picture of the Rosendale Church out house right by where I live. In fact I
think the design of that church may have came over from Askvol Norway in 1867
when my great grandfather immgrated to the farm I'm on . Theres a church exactly
like it named the rosendale church in Askvol in fact my great great grandfather's
brother Anders Askvold who lived between 1834-1900 painted a alter painting
in it.He was a starving poor painter all his life now he's a famous dead one
with over 1000 paintings to his credit....Anyway seeing a picture of this
outhouse is a little bit of a surprise and I like your web page layouts they
look good.
- 3/00 Whats Sir Harington's birthday? [If anyone knows this one, Email
the curator.]
- 3/00 would like to get plans how to build one. just for decoration for
yard a conversation piece i guess. do you know of one? please reply thank
you R. Stewart
- 3/2/00 I really enjoyed your site! I have just purchased an old log
cabin in central Michigan and would like to add an outhouse (no plumbing there
now!). I looked for an actual construction design, but found only pictures
of finished products. Maybe it is just too simple to need a plan--I mean to
build one? But, for example, how deep should the hole be? How far from a well
should one be placed? Are there any companies/folks that still build them
for commercial sale?
Another possibility is a plumbable outhouse. One of your links talks about
plans to market such a beast; apparently such a think is not yet available?
Any links and/or other suggestions for my project would be much appreciated!
- 2/29/00 Hi!!!!!!
I saw your site way back when in Yahoo. WOW!!!!! Has the site come a long
way. My sister is here visiting from CA and she is very computer illerate
and does not know how to or where to get info on a great site. She will crack
up when I show her your site in the morning. Thank you!!!!
Lynn
- 2/29/00 I found your site while researching a quetion. I found my exact
question in your comments page. Please advise, Why the cresent moon on the
door and what does it mean? Thanks, Tim
- 2/29/00 I thoroughly enjoyed your site.. who could imagine outhouse
races? I do have one problem with it, though. On your 'Ode to the Backhouse'
by James Whitcomb Riley, I could only find half of it... Do you have the rest
of it out here somewhere and I just can't find it? If not, I would be glad
to send it to you. I always knew it as 'The Passing of the Old Backhouse'.
My dad, who was born in 1900 and grew up using 'backhouses', recited the entire
work from memory. He also told many stories about happenings concerning backhouses
during his younger years. Great site!
- 2/26/00 One of my fondest childhood memories is visiting my cousins
in Metropolis, Il in the 40s. The outhouse was a great place! One of my happiest
times is when my girl cousin and I would go into their "double seater" (a
luxury) and we'd sit side by side and look at the thick catalog used for wiping
paper (another luxury for some people had corn cobs...ouch!). We loved looking
at the very thick colorful catalog. We'd talk about what we would buy when
we became rich.. We'd tear out and keep the pages of toys, pretty clothes
but would choose hunting equipment, men's work shoes, etc for wiping on. We
would sit in there for a long time knowing that it had a smell but we did
not care for it was one place the boys could not follow us and we had privacy.
It's funny how we both had to go at the same time or one would go just to
keep the other company. The boys would get mad at us for our advantage and
go tell an adult that they had to go and then we'd have to leave but we would
hang around outside to figure out if they lied or really had to use it. I
remember there was not a wall below the seats. Under each seat was a straw
basket that was reused after a man with a horse and wagon came and carried
away the human waste. I always wondered why anyone in their sane mind would
do such a thing. Now I know it was for manure. The outhouse was located some
distance from the house (because of the smell). It was most unpleasant on
winter days and I'd hold off as long as I could and keeping my coat above
my waist was a problem. When anyone was taking pictures, they always said,
"stand away from the outhouse, don't want the outhouse in the picture". One
of my favorite pictures is of the family standing in front of the outhouse
but you would not know it because there are so many of us that we covered
its view. That backyard was our play area. I remember the Billy goat butting
me across the yard, pass the outhouse. The horse always knew where to find
us for he liked to play too. I was always so glad to be back home for we had
real plumbing.....in doors! Sorry to get so carried away. Neva-Jane
- 2/22/00 I am searching for the funny story called the talking outhouse.
Have you ever heard of it? I believe the artists last name was Daniels and
I heard it on the radio a few times in the late '70's. Please let me know
it you know where I can fine it. Thanks Jen
- 2/22/00 A couple of years ago I used a USFS outhouse in Michigan's Northern
Peninsula. It was located by the Sturgeon Falls, North of Sidnaw and South
of Baraga. The pit an it's cover was concrete and the building was wood. It
had a vent through the roof. I presume this design is all over the place,
but it was new to me. The part that impressed me most was the portion between
the seat and the concrete floor! It was made out of aluminum or stainless
steel. It looked like it was aviation quality, flush riveted, and had compound
curves. I pointed it out to my brother and told him how impressed I was. This
outhouse was brand new.
Upon leaving, I noticed something shiny out in the woods. I was another one
of these flush riveted wonders from the old outhouse that the new one had
replaced, I presume. It was in perfect condition, no dents etc. and even clean.
I tossed it in the back of the truck and still have it in the wood shed of
our camp near Sidnaw. I was checking out the web for outhouse design ideas
when I found your site. Like the guy you showed with his prefab outhouse,
I cannot spend much time up there. I live and work in Texas and my wife is
not interested in going up there. The place has been in the family since about
1932 and no longer has an outhouse. We use a chemical toilet on the order
of a sick room toilet with a 5 gallon plastic bucket and stuff from a port-a-potty.
This thing is decades old and had a metal buck that rusted out.
I have only seen one plan to build an outhouse so far. It is from the State
of Texas, from the early 1940s. Perhaps there could be some detailed plans
submitted for people that want to build a new outhouse.
Thanks for the great site on such a rare subject.
- 2/21/00 I belong to Pekin, ILL. Bottle and Collectors club. and we have
some Out house diggers in our group. The next meeting I will be telling them
about your site. I was born in the age of outhouses. I lived on a farm NW
of a small town (Tremont, Ill.) and we had an Out house. with a vine arbor
over it. The vine was a Trumpet Vine. The first School I went Had Boys and
Girls outhouses. I remember how cold they were in the winter. You had to be
brave to plant your butt on those cold boards. For years it was tradition
in our town for a group of teenagers to steal an outhouse and set it afire
on the Main drag. on Halloween. Being a volunteer fireman , I got called out
every Halloween. F.H. Tremont, Ill.
- 2/20/00 Hello, My name is Linda, RN. I told my new patient yesterday
that I would be his Case Manager. I explained that the role entails overseeing
his care and playing the part of liaison to other members of the health care
team. I told him if he had any questions about anything he could come to me
with them; if I didn't know the answer, I would do my best to find it. This
was his question: Why do outhouses have crescent moons cut into their doors?
He has been seeking the answer to this question for 11 years. Please help.
- 2/20/00 Love your site. I have always had a fascination to out houses.
Why I do not know? I am currently looking at different pisctures of outhouses.
I want to paint some and place, of course in my bathroom. I have an old outhouse
in the back yard that covers our pump to our well. So thanks for the site.
Terry
- 2/20/00 Very informative and funny at the same time! I chanced upon
your site in a search for my relatives on my father's side. I live in Manitoba,
Canada where my grandfather George Feakes raised his family of 17 children,
hense to say I have many relatives. My father moved to Alberta, Canada in
1969 when I was in my early teens and I have only moved back 18 months ago.
Most of my 65 1st cousins I have not seen in almost 30 years. Any relation?
- 2/20/00 I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your Outhouse information!
I have a new Outhouse webpage.
It is called Outhouse Moon, and includes all kinds of information on outhouses. I didn't want
to duplicate what you already have, so I have a few links to your pages, but
beyond that I didn't borrow anything.
I've been an outhouse collector since I was a child, and my entire bathroom
is done in outhouses. If you have any ideas, suggestions, etc., please feel
free to let me know!
- 2/19/00 Why is there always a half moon on the door of an outhouse?
I have always wondered that.
- 2/13/00 Please register me.
- 2/12/00 While growing up in the 30s and 40s i was really impressed by
any of our neighbors who were rich enough to own a WPA outhouse. I am disapointed
that you do not have any pictures of these outhouses. I thought the woman
that I married was rich when I was growing up because her father had enough
money to have one of these outhouses. Ted
- 2/11/00 I am interested in outhouse design because I intend to build
one on my camp in upper Michigan. I wanted to do more than just go build it.
I wanted to know any science to it and what features could make a better design.
I see an outhouse as a direct feed septic tank. I want to build something
strong and permanent. So far I have learned about using a tube or chimney
and the need for natural light and ventilation. Most of what I see on this
site is more art that science. I find myself more and more interested in the
art of outhouses. When I finish mine I will send in pictures and the story.
This will take a couple of years as I live and work in Texas and cannot get
up there very often.
- 2/10/00 Great site!
I just bought a home circa 1842 in CT and found this "earth closet" in the
attic. It is an oak "Moule's Patent Earth Commode" Pat. 1869. It still has
the directions and I thought you might enjoy reading them. Thanks for the
history lesson....I just don't know what to do with the "closet" Mark
- 2/6/00 I am looking for some ideas for building a outhouse in my wooded
lot.
- 2/6/00 My husband and I collect minature outhouses and related stuff.
Always enjoy your wet site.
One suggestion, put dates on the comments so we can tell how far back to go
to get to where we left off reading. [Great idea! Starting with this comment]
My husband recently found a minature radio AM only that was an outhouse. I
always wonder why they ever made so many minature outhouse items.
There was recently a brief announcement in a Dallas paper (sent to me by a
relative) that there is now an outhouse museum in Hutchinson, Kansas.
- I would love to know where your sister purchased the outhouse bank.
My husband loves outhouses, and I've been looking for a source of neat gift
ideas. Thanks.
- 2/1/00 have you ever seen a 2 seater? yep thats what i typed a two seater
i've actually got pics of this. If I had a scanner, I would post thme somewhere
on the web but until then you will have to wonder.
[Most outhouses have 2 holes and some have as many as 5 to 20!!! The larger
ones were located near churches or schools. I even have a few on my web site.
The only difference between them and today's modern bathrooms are the stalls
in today's. Back them, I guess people were not quite so hung up about shooting
the breeze while "shitting"!]
- Hello! I just found your site, and I love it!!! I thought it was the
perfect accompanyment for the following that was forwarded to me:
"Eighteen Bottles of Whiskey" - Rated PG
I had eighteen bottles of whiskey in the cellar, and my wife insisted I empty
the contents of each bottle down the sink, or else.
After careful consideration, I reluctantly agreed and finally proceeded with
the unpleasant task.
I withdrew the cork from the first bottle and poured the contents down the
sink with the exception of one glass, which I drank.
Then, I withdrew the cork from the second bottle and did likewise with it,
with the exception of one glass, which I drank.
I then withdrew the cork from the third bottle and poured the whiskey down
the sink, which I drank.
I pulled the cork from the fourth bottle down the sink and poured the bottle
down the glass, which I drank.
I pulled the bottle from the cork of the next and drank one sink out of it,
and threw the rest down the glass.
I pulled the sink out of the next glass and poured the cork down the bottle.
Then, I corked the sink with the glass, bottled the drink and drank the pour.
When I had everything emptied, I steadied the house with one hand, counted
the glasses, corks, bottles, and sinks with the other, which were twenty-nine,
and as the houses came by I counted them again, and finally I had all the
houses in one bottle, which I drank.
I'm not under the affluence of incohol as some tinkle peep I am. I'm not half
as thunk as you might drink. I fool so feelish I don't know who is me, and
the drunke | |
