Tiburon in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Saint Hilary's Outhouse

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 9, 2022

1. Old Saint Hilary's Outhouse Marker

Inscription. Old St. Hilary's Outhouse is the only "sanitary privy” known to survive on the Tiburon Peninsula. It was constructed on an unknown date for the convenience of churchgoers and used until circa 1940.

Early photographs and an oral history confirm that it was divided into two privies, male and female, with doors at opposite ends. Each side was a 'two-holer' sized to fit an adult and child, a precaution to keep a youngster from falling into the pit below.

Outhouses were commonplace until after World War II, serving rich and poor alike. During the Great Depression, 1933-1945, there was a boom in outhouse construction as a result of WPA (Works Progress Administration) government projects intended to provide employment, improve public health and reduce pollution of streams and well water. The Landmarks Society installed indoor plumbing at Old St. Hilary's when utilities were connected circa 1960.

Like many outhouses, Old St. Hilary's two-room, two-holer is now used for storage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 37° 52.728′ N, 122° 27.365′ W. Marker is in Tiburon, California, in Marin County. It can be reached from Esperanza Street. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Esperanza Street, Belvedere Tiburon CA 94920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old St. Hilary’s (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Old St. Hilary's (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Old St. Hilary’s (a few steps from this marker); Samuel Blake Chapman (approx. 0.4 miles away); Northwestern Pacific (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1895 Ark Houseboat (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1920 Victorian Cottage (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1920 Folk Victorian Dwelling (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tiburon.

More about this marker. The marker is located behind the church, mounted to the former outhouse.

Old Saint Hilary's Outhouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 9, 2022

2. Old Saint Hilary's Outhouse and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.