I have an interesting question.

[Redsumit]

OK on an old farm from about 1900's to 1930ish has an old potato cellar.now from the rite back corner of the old cellar about 15 to 30 feet is a circular hole built up w/ stone, which is between the old house foundation which is about 50 to 60 yards away. my question is, how do i tell if that was a cistern OR a well? i would think that either has different aspects of MDing. somehow. wouldn't a cistern be closer 2 the house. ohh this hole is uncovered and about 10 to 15 ft deep today. any help would be great. diameter is bout 2 ft

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Rich in Central PA]

From my experience, and I have seen old houses with cisterns and wells............

Cisterns look like wells BUT the cistern is made to collect water for future use. The cistern I know of is right beside the house, with some sort of contraption attached to the house/roof as to collect rain water.

A well is self explanatory, normally not near a house or foundation, can be stone or brick lined. Both cisterns and wells are round.

Thats from my experience.............Rich