Shiloh Township near Mount Vernon in Jefferson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The WPA Outhouse

— Jefferson County Historical Village Museum —

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 7, 2023

1. The WPA Outhouse Marker

Inscription. During the 1930s this country suffered through a severe depression, not only of the economy but of the spirit of the people as unemployment and poverty engulfed the land. After the prosperous 1920s many middle class people lost their incomes, savings and homes. Everywhere people were hungry and homeless.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Work Projects Administration to put people to work in jobs designed to maintain social services and improve community conditions. The accomplishments of the WPA can be found in many of the buildings constructed during that time and which are still in use today.

In 1936 the WPA began a project to improve sanitary conditions and eliminate typhoid fever. Designs were drawn up for an outhouse with a concrete pit. Carpenters and laborers were put to work building thousands of these little privies that became common sights at the back of town lots and farm homesteads. Two were often found out behind the one-room school - one for the boys and one for the girls.

There are three (3) WPA outhouses located in the village. They are for display only!

Erected by Jefferson

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County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 38° 19.982′ N, 88° 55.535′ W. Marker is near Mount Vernon, Illinois, in Jefferson County. It is in Shiloh Township. It is on North 27th Street north of Caroline Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker and outhouses are on a trail at the Jefferson County Historical Village Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1411 N 27th St, Mount Vernon IL 62864, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

One of the three WPA Outhouse at the Jefferson County Historical Village Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 7, 2023

2. One of the three WPA Outhouse at the Jefferson County Historical Village Museum

marker: Hickory Hill School (within shouting distance of this marker); Clifton Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Koy Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Road Grader (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Goshen Road (about 300 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 400 feet away); City Calaboose (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.