Denton in Denton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Outhouse

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, November 2, 2025

1. Outhouse Marker

Inscription. Prior to modern indoor plumbing, people in homes and public spaces utilized a small structure that contained an outdoor toilet. Outhouses were generally made of wood and located fifty to one hundred yards away from the house. They usually contained a hole over a pit that was between three to six feet deep. Some outhouses, like this one, contained multiple holes in various sizes to accommodate children and adults. Once full, a pit was either cleaned out or filled in and the outhouse was moved. Professional gong farmers were men often hired to clean out the cesspits. Crescent moons and other ornaments cut into doors and walls provided ventilation.

Prior to the availability of toilet paper, leaves, corn cobs, magazines, or newspaper served a similar purpose. During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt promoted the need for improved sanitation in rural areas. With $5, three workers from the Work Projects Administration could construct a new outhouse in twenty hours. Over two

Captions
(Photo #1) Outhouse at original site, Leo, Texas
(Photo #2) Outhouse at original site, Leo, Texas

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

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In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list.

Location. 33° 12.778′ N, 97° 8.217′ W. Marker is in Denton, Texas, in Denton County. It is at the intersection of Carroll Blvd and West Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling north on Carroll Blvd. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Denton TX 76201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Taylor Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Quakertown House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bayless-Selby House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Campus Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Sherman Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Denton County War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Texas Normal College (approx. ¼ mile away); Denton County (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Our Confederate Soldiers (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Outhouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, November 2, 2025

2. Outhouse and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.