Little Privy on the Prairie

How fitting this little outhouse is to the entire Spring Hill Ranch complex. Stephen Jones didn't cut corners on this building.

The exterior walls are built with block limestone and the keystones have a hammered face with tooled stone edges. The corner stones also have tooled edges.

The interior walls are rough-cut ashlar stone, which are dressed at the windows. There is evidence that the interior was meant to be enclosed with either wood or wood, lathe, and plaster. The outhouse even has curtains in the windows for that added element of privacy.

Outhouse looking festive	Winter view of the outhouse
	Note the three seats inside the outhouse; two adults and one child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside you will find that it's a three-seater. The purpose is for biodegradability. Lime was used to break down solids, while the other opening could be utilized until the waste was dissolved. An outhouse was necessary, as this was before indoor plumming. The only thing that saved someone from a trip to the outhouse on a cold, snowy night was the chamber pot. There are many names for these little helpers, such as "Thunder Buckets", "Rumble Pots", etc.

Another reason for three seats may have been to accommodate each individual member of the household; Mr. and Mrs. Jones and daughter Loutie. Victorian modesty and culture only allowed the outhouse to be used by one member of the household at a time.