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

 

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[Dimeman]

I think a cistern would be wider than 2 ft., and have a stone or concrete bottom

Is the bottom stone like the sides, or is it dirt...if it is dirt it could be a well that was filled in.

 

[Rob66]

Well...

 

[rayredditch]

A well, a cistern would be a lot wider

 

[detectordave]

Could it be a "fake" well maybe for planting flowers? Just for decoration. I only say this because I hunted an old farmhouse once that had something similiar. Was just for looks. Hh dave.

 

[ivan salis]

might be a water source for use during storms --whille hiding in the storm shelter--- ala "wizard of oz " style

 

[warsawdaddy]

50 - 60 yds from the house seems like a long ways for a well or a outhouse.Don't know the lay of the land tho.Could there have been a cabin closer to it? 15' deep x 2' dia?That's pretty deep to dig by hand in only a 2' dia.Be hard to get the shovel of dirt up and stand in the hole at the same time.

 

[rayredditch]

Big Elephant in mating mood, and none of the fairer species to hand LOL
Probably drilled and originally fitted with a pump (Hand or mechanical/electrical driven)
HH Ray

 

[leddel]

well !