Near Watrous in Mora County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Privy

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

1. Privy Marker

Inscription. Throughout the 19th century, military sanitation was far ahead of most civilian practice in the West. The “sinks,” “privies,” “necessaries,” and latrines of the military kept contagious disease at a minimum and even by modern standards were not unhealthful.

Many objects were accidentally lost (or purposely discarded) in these pits. Excavation has yielded a wide range of such items as you see here.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list.

Location. 35° 54.477′ N, 105° 0.792′ W. Marker is near Watrous, New Mexico, in Mora County. It can be reached from New Mexico Route 161 7½ miles north of CanAm Highway (Interstate 25). Marker is located along the park trail at Fort Union National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3115 New Mexico Route 161, Watrous NM 87753, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hard Work, Strict Discipline, and $13 a Month (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation Corral (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crime and Punishment on an Army Post (about 400 feet away);

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Keep the Wagons Rolling (about 500 feet away); Life Along Suds Row (about 500 feet away); Officers' Row (about 500 feet away); Distant For Good Reasons (about 500 feet away); Buttons, Bowling, Billiards and Beer (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watrous.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort Union National Monument

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

2. Privy Marker

Privy Foundation & Pit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2015

3. Privy Foundation & Pit

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.