Woman Collects Outhouses for Backyard!!

**FedjeViking** · 05-09-2006, 10:05 PM

Ga. Woman Collects Outhouses for Backyard

APPLING, Ga. - They once were a rural American staple, a necessity for daily life. Today, outhouses are mostly gone - but not if you wander into Janie Peel's backyard. "This is my newest one," she said, gesturing toward a vintage double-seater that was moved in its entirety to her farm.

"It took three men to lift it," she said. "But if we hadn't, it would have been torn down."

Outhouses have always fascinated Peel, an east-Georgia commercial real estate broker who now collects them.

"I can't stand to see old buildings torn down," she said. "But the one thing I can usually rescue without losing friends is the outhouses."

Before plumbing became standard in country homes, outhouses were state-of-the-art facilities.

"Some of them might be 100 years old," Peel said. "But there's no way to know for sure."

Her favorite is an ancient two-holer with a tin roof and crude cedar posts for corners. The rusted metal on one side is peppered with shotgun pellets - just where the occupants would have been sitting.

Peel isn't sure whether the circular pattern of tiny holes is the result of vandalism, assault or perhaps someone's innovative idea to improve ventilation.

"It has a lot of character," she said. "You have to wonder about the conversations that might have taken place in there."

Another is fashioned from hand-hewn pine.

"Notice how the holes are different? Some of them have square holes; this one has hexagonal ones."

Regardless of design, they all reflect the simplicity of yesteryear.

When they were in use, the privies sat atop deep holes that served as makeshift septic tanks. Peel's examples are just for display.

"I saw them a lot when I was growing up in Texas," she said. "As a Campfire Girl, I can even remember using them a few times."

Today, she has three behind her home, with room for a dozen more.

"I've identified two others, but I'm still trying to get permission to get them," she said.

"I've even got one in Texas promised to me, but I'm not sure how I'll get it here."

**BadlandsVikings** · 05-09-2006, 10:08 PM

Some people just can't throw anything away. The article doesn't say if she uses them or not.

**MightyVikes12391** · 05-09-2006, 10:10 PM

this is interesting

**FedjeViking** · 05-09-2006, 10:11 PM

I don't think so, you have to have a hole in the ground for them. :lol:

ottytrain5:

**cajunvike** · 05-09-2006, 11:02 PM

"westvirginiavikings" wrote:

Some people just can't throw anything away. The article doesn't say if she uses them or not.

"Peel's examples are just for display." - quote from article.

You hillbilly, just because they are still using them in West Virginia where you are doesn't mean that people are still using them elsewhere! :razz: :lol:

**WBLVikeBabe** · 05-09-2006, 11:04 PM

How odd is that?!

**FedjeViking** · 05-10-2006, 02:20 AM

"cajunvike" wrote:

"westvirginiavikings" wrote:

Some people just can't throw anything away. The article doesn't say if she uses them or not.

"Peel's examples are just for display." - quote from article.

You hillbilly, just because they are still using them in West Virginia where you are doesn't mean that people are still using them elsewhere! :razz: :lol:

Well they still USE them in VA, your state? :lol:

**BadlandsVikings** · 05-10-2006, 05:18 AM

"FedjeViking" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

"westvirginiavikings" wrote:

Some people just can't throw anything away. The article doesn't say if she uses them or not.

"Peel's examples are just for display." - quote from article.

You hillbilly, just because they are still using them in West Virginia where you are doesn't mean that people are still using them elsewhere! razz lol

Well they still USE them in VA, your state? lol

Virgina is #1 and Kentucky is #2 for outhouse use. I have indoor plumbing thank you very much. :grin: Being on display doesn't mean anything, I 've heard of dumbasses at home improvement stores trying to use the display toilets.

**VikesfaninWis** · 05-10-2006, 05:33 AM

About that one in Texas that is promised to her.. She doesn't know how she will get it home though.. Well lady you must find a way.. Or in better terms........

Sh!t or get off the pot... :grin:

**FedjeViking** · 05-10-2006, 05:44 AM

They actually have outhouse races! Yep. they put them babies on wheels, one of the team has to sit on the throne, and the rest of the team pushes the whole shabang to the finish line! :sign5: