Got My First Permission To Dig a Privy

[Rockhounder55]

ORIGINAL: lexdigger

Are you sure the map is showing the privy? From my experiences what you see on the sanborn is rarely the privy. Usually they are along the back or side property line. How old is the sanborn map? There is a chance that even if it is showing a pit, there could be others. I've dug anywhere from one to seven pits in the same yard. I would start out by probing the yard first and only dig the crawl as a last resort. Most people will let you make multiple visits if you honor your part of the deal. Start in the back corner and work your way across the back of the yard.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I haven't actually seen the map, and Chris, most of the "yard" around the house is the paved parking lot for one of the local casinos. I remember there was a thread recently about the privies not being on the Sanborn maps, but I can't seem to find it. [] ~Mike

 

[CALDIGR2]

Many, but not all, Sanborns show privies as appropriate for scale small squares, usually located on side lines and at rear of properties. Nearly all local cities and towns near to this area do show privy pits. I haven't looked a Winnemucca in a long time but seem to recall that the 1890s and more recent do have privies marked on them. It is just as important to have all the maps, even up to the 1930s, because they usually show a wider area and the older structures remain on them.

 

[David Fertig]

Dig it.

Show us the finds.

Then we'll decide if it was worth it.

 

[Rockhounder55]

ORIGINAL: David Fertig

Dig it.

Show us the finds.

Then we'll decide if it was worth it.

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