Fort Christiansvaern Latrine

This throne comes with a view.

NPS Photo: Kahle

Quick Facts

Location:

Fort Christiansvaern

Many desire waterfront property, but here at Fort Christiansvaern soldiers had waterfront toilets. Some people say this is the best view in the fort, and they would not be wrong. For all of human history people have needed to relieve themselves, so why not have it with a great view.

Because the fort had no electricity or running water in the 18th century, buckets of seawater were used to “flush” the waste away, into the ocean below. Nowadays we have septic systems that do not pollute the beautiful ocean before us.