Woodstock in Howard County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Privy and Icehouse Foundation
circa 1900
Prior to the introduction of indoor plumbing, the privy was the farm family's toilet. It was built over a 6- to 8-foot deep pit. When the pit was full, the privy was moved to a new location. It would commonly be located a short distance behind the house. The Mt. Pleasant privy was used until the early 1950s when indoor plumbing was installed in the farmhouse.
The foundation adjacent to the privy likely once supported an icehouse, which served the purpose of present-day freezers. Ice was cut from streams in winter months and then stored in the icehouse covered by straw to keep it cold all year long even through the summer.
Erected by Howard County Conservancy.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list.
Location. 39° 18.992′ N, 76° 52.476′ W. Marker is in Woodstock, Maryland, in Howard County. It can be reached from Old Frederick Road (Maryland Route 99) west of Dorchester Way, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map.
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Guinea Fowl Coop (here, next to this marker); Smokehouse (a few steps from this marker); Log Cabin Viewing Window (a few steps from this marker); Mt. Pleasant (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Mt. Pleasant (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Corn Crib (about 300 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodstock.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
