Outhouses are a recognizable bathroom symbol, and they were a staple before modern plumbing. These innovative bathrooms were an early inspiration to the comfortable, modern portable toilets we enjoy today, which are used frequently at construction sites and outdoor events. Here’s a brief guide to their history.

What to Know About the Outhouse

Early European Outhouses

Long ago, any secluded spot away from the house was an appropriate place to relieve yourself. As cities developed, latrines were used as the new restroom. However, these inventions lacked privacy and became a smelly breeding ground for bacteria.

Europeans established outhouses as a more private and sanitary solution in the 1500s. These enclosed structures were often placed 50 to 100 yards from the home. They were made of wood and typically included a seat with a hole and a removable bucket below to catch the waste. The signature crescent moons indicated a women’s facility, while the stars marked men’s.

Outhouses in the U.S.

These structures weren’t always simple, one-room boxes. Families would camouflage them with vines and other plants, and wealthy homeowners would build large, ornate facilities. Two-story structures were popular because they allowed waste to flow from the top directly to a bottom pit while others used the ground-level hole.

Traditional outhouses became ineffective in urban areas because the waste posed a public health hazard. Modern versions with deodorizing and sanitizing blue liquid in the bowl became popular in the 1940s, and the 70s brought the first fiberglass portable toilet. The material was later changed to a more durable polyethylene, which is what’s still used today.

If your company needs bathroom facilities, contact Horizon Services in Fairbanks, AK. These professionals have provided construction crews, event coordinators, and other businesses with clean portable toilets for over 35 years. They carry a wide selection of products to enhance the bathroom experience, including accessible stalls and portable sinks. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (907) 452-1480.