Backyard Reno Unveils Old Well in Fort Greene
This just in from a reader: We are in the midst of a renovation of our brownstone in Ft. Greene and made a fascinating discovery in our backyard. The contractors were digging a hole to pour the footings for an extension and new deck and they stumbled across the opening of an old well. The…
This just in from a reader:
We are in the midst of a renovation of our brownstone in Ft. Greene and made a fascinating discovery in our backyard. The contractors were digging a hole to pour the footings for an extension and new deck and they stumbled across the opening of an old well. The well was below what used to be a blue stone patio and the opening was under about 2 feet of dirt. The well is approximately 8 to 10 feet deep and is made of stone. I’d like to get readers’ opinions about the use of and history of wells in Brownstone Brooklyn. Also, I’d like to get readers’ suggestions about what I should do with it. I am sure my contractor will suggest that we fill it in and keep building, but I am interested in hearing ideas about preserving the well or maybe some creative way of incorporating it into our backyard or renovation. I’d hate to just cover it up because it’s a pretty cool discovery.
Cool indeed! Any ideas? Check out another close-up photo on the jump.
Click on photo for a larger view
Find out the history of the area, the house and see if you can find out something special that could coincide with what you found. Create a short story, with the best photos you can gather up, including the great shots you have here and have it all formatted, framed (professionally) and hang it up inside, just before you go outside, so it can be one of the highlights of your home. Very nice find. It makes me wonder what else is under your yard. This thing could pre date way before the city was even built, before Brooklyn was incorporated part of the city. Maybe you can find someone who can verify this with you.
Would be interested in knowing what you find out.
I also like the idea of testing the water and using it for gardening, including maybe feeding a bird bath, etc. Have fun and good luck!
Privydigger7, I went to your web address and that is truly, truly amazing what you found in that pivy. WOW!!
You could start a small museum with that collection.
Everyone should go check that out. His address is a post above mine.
Find out the history of the area, the house and see if you can find out something special that could coincide with what you found. Create a short story, with the best photos you can gather up, including the great shots you have here and have it all formatted, framed (professionally) and hang it up inside, just before you go outside, so it can be one of the highlights of your home. Very nice find. It makes me wonder what else is under your yard. This thing could pre date way before the city was even built, before Brooklyn was incorporated part of the city. Maybe you can find someone who can verify this with you.
Would be interested in knowing what you find out.
I also like the idea of testing the water and using it for gardening, including maybe feeding a bird bath, etc. Have fun and good luck!
It is defiantly not a cistern.A cistern is (parged) on the inside to prevent water from seeping out.It is either a privy or a well.
We are in the process of digging a brick lined well/privy,three wood lined privy’s were dug in this yard and the brick pit is closer to the house.It still could turn out to be a privy,time will tell.I have dug a few deep privy’s,one was 6×22 feet deep it had 12 feet of fill.Large stones,clay etc then it ended with a 10 foot use layer,and yielded 600 bottles from 1860s 70s 80s 90s.We thought it was a well at first,but the privy fodder told us different.
My web site shows pictures of the brick well/privy we are into. http://www.19thcenturybottlediggers.com
Very cool…a little spooky, but very cool!
i’ll tell you for a fact it’s an old cistern. the pipes into it came from the gutters on the house to save rain water. given the times we are living in i believe you will see these things being used again.
kutterkan – classic. Have you seen the music video?
we found something similar in a brownstone back yard in the heights. the one we found was a brick “pipe” and wall, we think it was for sewage. this one looks a lot more elaborate.good stuff!
LOL…kutterkan!!!