Cistern

Cistern. . A cistern is an enclosure usually constructed of brick, cut stone or cement that is used to collect rainwater, which runs off the roof via large rain gutters and downspouts. Its purpose is to supply water for bathing and other household uses., This lighthouse had two cisterns, one external and one internal. The brick half circle you see here was part of the external cistern. It was 8 to 10 feet in depth. This cistern was buried below ground level so that it was less likely to freeze in winter than an above ground structure., Ceramic tile pipe joined the outside of the cement one located in the basement. The water could be accessed by using a gravity faucet in the basement or via the hand pump located in the kitchen., When running water was added to the building in 1934, the basement cistern was removed. This external cistern was partially destroyed during the excavation necessary to seal the foundation and lay the footings for our handicap ramp. It is within two feet of the west wall of the kitchen and less than two feet underground.