Jonestown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cistern

Carroll Mansion

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 14, 2017

1. Cistern Marker

Inscription. Archaeologists discovered a buried cistern two and one half feet below you. A cistern is a receptacle for holding water, especially rainwater.

In eighteenth-century Baltimore, water came from wells, creeks, and natural springs, which were found throughout the city. Beginning in 1804, the Baltimore Water Company, a private corporation, supplied water for fire emergencies and household use west of the Jones Falls.

East of Jones Falls where the Carroll Mansion is located, water from shallow wells was unpleasant tasting and often contaminated from surface drainage and privies. The water was also hard, and left laundry still gray, and dingy. Nineteenth-century architectural guides advised the installation of two separate cisterns, one for drinking water and the other for wash water. Archaeologists do not know if a second cistern exists on this site. This is a question to be answered by future excavations.

(Inscription at the bottom)
Diagram of a typical cistern system:
1. Roof Gutter collects water for drainpipe.
2. Drainpipe carries water to cistern.
3. Barrel mechanism cleans fouled rainwater.
4. Overflow pipe removes excess water.
5. Barrel contains more filter elements to clean rainwater.
6. Storage well holds water until needed.
7. Pump retrieves water.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 39° 17.323′ N, 76° 36.272′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Jonestown. It is on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carroll Mansion (here, next to this marker); Small Brick Building (a few steps from this marker); Cast-Iron Façade (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of Edward Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Brewer’s Park (within shouting distance

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 14, 2017

2. Cistern Marker

of this marker); The Star Spangled Banner Flag was Born Here (within shouting distance of this marker); Native Stone Mosaic (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Flag House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Cistern Marker-Carroll Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 14, 2017

3. Cistern Marker-Carroll Mansion

Cistern Marker-Carroll Mansion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 14, 2017

4. Cistern Marker-Carroll Mansion Marker

This marker has previously been posted on HMDB.org

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 19, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.