Bowling Green in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cisterns, Ponds, and Privies

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

1. Cisterns, Ponds, and Privies Marker

Inscription. Installed in 1879 for $81, the first cistern tank was hooked up to a common drain line that pumped water from a well nearly a mile away. Due to the heavy mineral deposits contained within infirmary land, digging a well closer to the main building to meet the needs of inmates was not possible. In 1880, local government officials suggested abandoning the infirmary site altogether due to the lack of a sufficient water supply.

The first water reservoir, also known as the ice pond, was dug in 1886 and a second reservoir was dug in 1942. second cistern was installed outside the cattle barn in 1892, and a third cistern was installed in 1915. On May 19, 1953, The Gage Company was awarded a contract to install a new water line connecting the infirmary to city water at a cost of $45,000.

Before indoor plumbing was installed in 1953, infirmary residents used a privy, a toilet in small shed located outside the main building. The men's privy is near the hog barn, while the women's privy is between the wash house and chicken coop.

Water Supply Blueprint, 1953

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1953.

Location. 41° 21.016′ N, 83° 37.027′

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W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Ohio, in Wood County. It is on County Home Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowling Green OH 43402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp,

in the Till Plains,

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chicken Coop, Wash House, and Wood Shed, 1873 (a few steps from this marker); Ice House, 1905 (a few steps from this marker); Boiler House, 1898 (within shouting distance of this marker); Gas Plant, 1906 (within shouting distance of this marker); Wood County Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Corn Crib & Tool Shed, 1872 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lunatic Asylum 1885 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pestilence House 1933 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

2. Cisterns, Ponds, and Privies Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 12, 2021

3. Cisterns, Ponds, and Privies Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.