cistern / outhouse

We found what I believe to be an old cistern in our backyard. It’s a beast – around 8′ deep by 8′ wide. The bottom half is stone, and the top, which is dome-like, is made of brick. It’s empty (not filled) and actually looks to be in great condition. There’s a 3-4″ pipe coming into it from the direction of the house. Does anyone know: – Is it likely we also have an old privy/outhouse? We’re in Bay Ridge. – Where in a backyard were outhouses usually located? The cistern is closer to the house, like around 10′ or so from the rear of the house, and not near the edge of the yard, but more in the center (width-wise) Also, does anyone know how to get in touch with Jack Fortmeyer by email? He’s the retired fireman who has done a lot of digs in Brooklyn. I’ve googled but can’t find an email for him. Thanks!

ps158

in History 10 years and 2 months ago

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ps158 | 10 years and 2 months ago

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Thanks Bruce. I’ll probably contact you offline. I posted this to “About” as well in case more people check that than “History”.

brucef | 10 years and 2 months ago

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Definitely privy/outhouse. That’s why there are bottles in it if you are lucky. Alcohol/drinking was often considered undesirable, so collectors strike it rich if a concealing alcoholic lived there and dropped the bottles down to hide the habit. Our houses (2) are much older (1846), and in our case, the walls were almost perfect, lined with round 4″ stones. I have some experience with sinkholes/soil, you can contact me bruce at jerseydata dot net.

ps158 | 10 years and 2 months ago

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Bruce – do you think this is a privy instead of a cistern? I keep going back and forth. Basically, we found this structure (which I will refer to as a cistern for now) because we had developed a sinkhole that kept growing, so we dug and dug and voila. I am convinced the sinkhole was caused by the cistern somehow, but we’re still trying to solve the mystery. See, the sinkhole developed a few feet or so away from the edge of the cistern, and the inside of it is totally empty – we don’t see any dirt or fill in it. That said, the inside of the cistern is dark and hard to see in when looking at it from above, and we haven’t had a chance with all the weather to get down in there for a better look. I’m wondering if maybe the cistern is wider at the bottom than we can see from above, and that’s where the dirt from the sinkhole is going to. Or, is it possible there is another structure directly under where the sinkhole was – and if so, could it be connected to the cistern? Hence my original question – since we found a cistern, is it possible we also have a privy on the premises, and if so, where would it have been located?. The bottom line is we want to rectify the cause of the hole. Anyone have any ideas? And I’m still looking for Jack’s email if anyone has it… Thanks!

cmu | 10 years and 2 months ago

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Perfect for a water feature! If I had that I’d make a koi pond.

brucef | 10 years and 2 months ago

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Sounds identical to the privy dug up in center (left to right) of our backyard in Cobble Hill. Ours did not have a treasure trove of bottles like some of them that Jack dug up. This was 35 years ago.