How did people in the old West go to the bathroom?
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How did people in the old West go to the bathroom?
When it came to relieving themselves, men and women in the American West might have ducked behind a tree. Later, settlers and others built signature Old West outhouses for that same purpose, though many of the unpleasant qualities of those structures proved less than appealing.
What did they use in outhouses?
The majority of outhouses were constructed of wood, which was light enough for easy relocation as necessary. They were weathertight, but well-ventilated, and painted for durability.
What were pioneer toilets like?
Frontier toilets were as varied as frontier houses, ranging from an agreed-upon shrub or hole in the ground to free-standing sod or wooden outhouses. The typical frontier outhouse was basically an oblong box, three to four feet square, and approximately seven feet high.
What did cowboys use as toilet paper?
Mullein aka “cowboy toilet paper” If the cowboys used the large velvety leaves of the mullein (Verbascum thapsus) plant while out on the range, then you can too! Mullein is a biennial plant available for use in almost every bioregion.
Why do outhouses have moons?
Supposedly before the adoption of the more familiar male and female bathroom symbols, it was common to use a crescent moon to denote that an outhouse was for women and a sun to denote that it was an outhouse for men.
Why do outhouses smell?
A well-built outhouse usually had a vent along the roof to vent out the chamber and a pipe from the box through the ceiling to vent out the gases. To avoid the odor reaching the home, most outhouses were built between 50 and 150 feet from the main house, often facing away from the house.
Why did outhouses have a moon?
How deep is an outhouse hole?
A good foundation is the key to a good outhouse. Dig a hole about 4′ deep, 3.5×3. 5ft square. Make it a good hole with even sides because you’ll have to line it.
What was the job of a saloon girl?
Starved for female companionship, the saloon girl would sing for the men, dance with them, and talk to them – inducing them to remain in the bar, buying drinks and patronizing the games.
Why is a moon on an outhouse door?
