Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Outhouse or Privy
Newbert & Wallace Shipyard
| | Thomaston, ME | |
This simple shed served as the toilet for shipwrights at the shipyard established by Herbert Newbert and Leroy Wallace in 1942. the yard specialized in building fishing vessels, including the eastern-rig dragger ROANN, which is moored nearby. This one-hole privy, complete with ship carpenters' notations on its interior walls, represents the most basic form of sewage treatment used by Americans for centuries.
In Thomaston, the St. George River flushed the waste from the Newbert & Wallace yard. As the above photo illustrates, the Mystic River also served as a sewer for human and industrial waste from shipyards, shoreside businesses and homes. Vessels also discharged their sewage overboard. Eventually, the water quality around coastal communities was so degraded that marine life declines and human health suffered.
Beginning in 1972, The U.S. Congress passed a series of acts and amendments commonly known as the Clean Water Act, for "the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water." The act authorized the Environmental Protection Agency to target "point source" pollution like untreated sewage. More recently, efforts have been aimed at eliminating runoff pollution and on maintaining the health of entire watersheds.
The Newbert & Wallace
this page online
Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 41° 21.618′ N, 71° 57.908′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) south of Bruggeman Place, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. 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 New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gerda III (a few steps from this marker); Grand Banks Fishing Schooner Roseway (within shouting distance of this marker); Propeller Steamer Sabino (within shouting distance of this marker); Western-Rig Dragger Florence (within shouting distance of this marker); L.A. Dunton (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring the L.A. Dunton (within shouting distance of this marker); a different
Other markers no longer nearby. Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Western-Rig Dragger Florence (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
