Finding old septic tank

[njrqs]

Don

Sure wouldn't have had a septic tank over here back in those days.

Outhouses were used here until the 50's or 60's, even in some of the cities.

Cheers

 

[MarkV]

Centex,

Any old timers in the area that would know if indoor plumbing was the norm for your area at the time? I am of the thinking that a septic would be unlikely for the time. My Grandparents farm didn’t have plumbing until after WWII.

MarkV

 

[normde2001]

They probably used a well bucket, about 5" diameter by about 4' long which was lowered into the well by a windlass with a well rope. The bucket was filled, raised by the windlass and a triplatch emptied it into a bucket (probably wooden). Everybody drank from the same dipper. this setup usually came with an outhouse. At least that's how my grandparents did it in N. Georgia.

 

[njrqs]

Ooooohhhh

Just hope they "honey dipped" the right hole /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[centex]

I think you guys are right about there not being a septic tank so I will quit worrying about it. There are a number of old metal wash tubs around the area so they probably used them to bathe in with either water from the well or the creek.

 

[Spencer]

You could probably check with your county health department. I don't know if they required permits to put septic systems in that long ago. They should at least be able to tell you if anyone was putting systems in that long ago in your area. If there was a permit issued it may tell you exactly where the system is. You may be surprised at all the archived information available down at your county building.

Spence

 

[DVerbarg]

<font color=blue> I did not think hand pumps would lift over 25' so I wonder how this could work.</font color=blue>

If the pump was an old rod style they can lift water from at least 150ft. My parents have an old working well that is the rod style. The old pump handle was replaced with a motor, years ago, that does the pumping action. Every few years they have to pull the rod and replace the "leathers" at the bottom due to some sand that keeps tearing them up.

 

[scruffy]

Heck, we used an outhouse in SW Oregon up through the mid-sixties. Dad finally put a bathroom with tub, sink and toilet after all of us boys grew up and left the farm. Up to then, it was galvanized tub for baths, and outhouse.

 

[patrickg]

More often the tricksters move the bld a few feet further from the hose so the users find the hole just as they reach for the door.

Patrick (SPY VS SPY VS SPY?)

 

[Egon]

Patrick:

The tales that can be told of the old outhouses. The best part was next morning the School Principal would send the older boys out to right the previous nights upsets which meant about half a day out of class.
Stangely enough the older folks never had trouble with theirs.

Egon