Original outhouse.

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CanadianBottles

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Yeah I still see them out in the countryside from time to time as well. Usually not still in use, although back around 2000 or so I remember encountering a historic building out west which had been converted to a daycare, and they didn't have any indoor plumbing apart from maybe a sink. All the kids still had to use an outhouse pretty much like yours! Pretty amazing that they could pass inspections like that, I have my doubts that you could get away with that today. Never seen any anywhere near the cities though, most of the urban outhouses were eliminated during the original sanitation campaigns of the early 20th century.
 

hemihampton

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The one I pictured was in the big city of Detroit, I've seen at least 2 others, maybe 3 in Detroit. LEON.
DetroitOuthouse (3).JPG
homelessbumouthouse.JPG
 

EdsFinds

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Here's one from South Jersey! It's in the back of an OLD historical church (still used once annually). The strange thing is that it is located not next to the church itself, but on the side of the church's ancient graveyard! So, to use the outhouse, you'd have to walk through the graveyard (maybe in the dark, there were no lights in those days)! Kinda creepy! Oh, and yes, this church and the outhouse is located in an out-of-the-way rural area, only a few houses nearby, the rest is all pinelands!
 

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Huntindog

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Cool Outhouses. Thanks for all the pictures.
We have one at our cabin, been there for ever...

As for moving the OP's outhouse and cleaning it up....
Brace it well for the move and once placed wash it up well and seal it with a clear sealer.
Don't strip it.
I wouldn't worry about lead paint unless you are going to chew on it.
Once sealed it can't go anywhere.
Good luck with the project
 

Bohdan

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This outhouse has been on the property
for 70+ years. It remained after a septic tank was installed, it was on the property when my great grandparents bought it in the late 1980s, and still remained after the old run down house that came with the property was torn down. It was dragged some 2,000 ft. across the pasture to near where the new house they built, and where it now remains today. Actual old outhouses are pretty uncommon to find, right ? I want to work on getting this up to the new house as a display piece. It’s in exceptional condition. It needs to be tested for lead and if positive, then have a paint stripper applied to remove it. It also needs a deep clean with some elbow grease. Note: this style did not have a hole.

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Why on earth would you want to restore a place where people went to shit? No "good memories" here for anyone who ever grew up having to use one - especially in mid-winter at 30 below. This particular one isn't even old - it's made of plywood. Burn it down and your great grandparents and all their generation will smile from wherever they are and thank you.
 

margclearlake

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A well known member here, but missing, Rick said if you come across one still standing, RUN!!

my moms cemetery in South Dakota has an outhouse in the middle of it.
 

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