Outhouses

An outhouse, privy, or outdoor toilet is a small structure located outside a dwelling that houses a pit latrine. It provides basic sanitation where indoor plumbing is unavailable or impractical. Outhouses are typically wooden buildings erected over an excavation pit, with a seat above the pit and a simple door. Ventilation systems such as a small vent hole or a vent pipe help dissipate odors, and some designs include shelves or other simple features.

Historically, outhouses were common in rural areas and before modern indoor plumbing, especially in North America, parts of Europe, and developing regions. Construction and maintenance varied, but most featured a latrine pit that gradually filled and was covered and moved when needed. In addition to odor control, considerations included location relative to living spaces, groundwater protection, and distance from wells and streams.

Over time, improvements in sanitation and infrastructure reduced reliance on outhouses in many places. Modern alternatives include septic tanks, connected sewer systems, and portable toilets for temporary facilities. In some settings such as remote cabins, parks, or disaster areas, outhouses remain in use today.

Cultural references often portray outhouses as rustic or humorous, but they also illustrate public health transitions from pit latrines to more sanitary systems. Environmental considerations include safe pit disposal, groundwater protection, and eventual pit sealing or pit filling when no longer in use.