When did people stop using privys, in a downtown city area?

[Rockhoppernc]

When did people stop using privy's, in a downtown city area?

Went to a new spot in downtown Asheville, found a few old items but in the lower left of the yard there looks to be a divot. the area is kinda tucked back out of the way. I found a zink mason top with the glass seal and a few blue glass shards. The ground was different from the rest of the yard and very easy to dig. Also got a hit next to it that pinned my meter all the way. I dug down about 9 inches and hit a large flat stone about a foot across, but could not dig it out till I got the ok.(which I just did).
The house was built in 1920-
I also pulled a brass sink stopper,copper badge from Royal Gorge in Colorado.

Thanks

 

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[Frankn]

I think, right after they tore a page from the Sears Catalog. lol Frank...

 

[creskol]

I think, right after they tore a page from the Sears Catalog. lol Frank...
View attachment 947515

Where was that photo taken Frank? I saw something just like that on a visit to Yellowstone. Somebody obnviously lost it, but there was no way to retrieve it in the geyser basin.

 

[Helix]

People stopped using privies or outhouses when indoor plumbing became common place. Early 1900's.. If the house was built in 1920 and in a town or city I would think it would of been built with plumbing. A lot of times though houses had out door privies and indoor plumbing both early on. Maybe the soft area in the yard is were a tree once was?

 

[Rockhoppernc]

Thought about the year it was built. I talked to my buddy and he thinks it was a trash hole.
I'm headed out this weekend to poke around a little. He also is allowing me to dig a test hole and see what is down there. I also found a few bits of melted metal after cleaning.
Sounds like a nice way to spend the afternoon. It is also not very often to get to dig a hole in the ground in a downtown area...

 

[Helix]

Also if your in a older city good chances there might of been an older house on the lot. Then you would have privies for sure. Its worth investigating. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

 

[onfire]

try a site called We dig Wisconsin Outhouses.

 

[Frankn]

Where was that photo taken Frank? I saw something just like that on a visit to Yellowstone. Somebody obnviously lost it, but there was no way to retrieve it in the geyser basin.

That was taken in Wales (GB). It is supposed to be the oldest footprint ever seen. It was on a beach area.
I didn't take the picture and I don't remember where I saw the article. The lense cap was for size. the foot print is just above and to the right of it. Frank...