History of Buildings Layout?

Do any of you Brownstoners have a waste line in the front of your house?

I have been trying to figure out the usage over the years of a 1842 house, currently a 4 family. When I purchased in 80′s, previous owners had been there 50 years, and they had installed kitchens and baths in the 1950′s. That plumbing was two rear chases, one for kitchens across from stairwell, andthe other 4″ stack down stair side rear corner. So far that is typical and usual.

My question regard a 3rd 4″ watseline that goes across basement ceiling, then up front, half in the wall in the front hallway, near to the bottom of stairs, maybe 2′ forward of newel post.

I have found various gas fittings in front parlors, next to fireplaces.

does this sound familiar? I can imagine a rooming house, or coldwater flat arrangement.

I have even imagined that this front waste line was installed before the rear chases? There don’t seem to be any waste connections on the garden or parlor floors. Would there have only been toilets or plumbing on the 2nd and top floors? Would this have been done when house still had a family, perhaps with roomers?

I have deduced that there was a renovation around 1900, when parquet floor were installed, definitely before the steam heating system was installed.

I’m usually pretty good with figuring out old houses, but this 3rd stack puzzles me. Any ideas?

By brucef |