Allen in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Outhouse
Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2026
1. Outhouse Marker
In the early days of Allen no one had indoor toilets but most had an outhouse, a small structure, separate from a main building, which covers a hole in the ground. Sometimes called the necessary, the purpose was to contain human waste in a specific area. Before the availability of mass-produced toilet paper, families used what was free and available. Options included the Sears and Roebuck catalog, newspapers and corncobs among other things. Outhouses were still in use in Allen until the 1950s when Allen installed a public sewer system.
Constructed of wood, outhouses could be relocated when needed and were typically well built and painted for added durability. The ground hole was dug between three and six feet down and there might be more than one hole if the outhouse was catering to a large family. When the ground hole filled, it was simply filled in with dirt and the outhouse moved to another location and another hole was dug. To avoid the odor reaching the home, most outhouses were built a distance away from the main house, often facing away from the house. It had either one or two chamber holes inside one for the adults and a smaller one for the children.
This outhouse was constructed in 2017 as a service project of the Young Mens Service League of Allen.
Erected by City of Allen and Allen Heritage Guild.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 2017.
Location. 33° 6.327′ N, 96° 39.947′ W. Marker is in Allen, Texas, in Collin County. It is on Saint Mary Drive east of N Cedar Drive when traveling east. The marker
this page online
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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chicken Coop (a few steps from this marker); Kitchen Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen Colored School (within shouting distance of this marker); Greater Moores Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Bolin House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moline Plow, 6008, 6041A, 5980 (about 500 feet away); Drag Scraper (about 500 feet away); Single Blade Plow with Corn Seed Planter (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allen.
Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2026
2. Outhouse Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2026
3. Outhouse and Marker
The typical location for an outhouse around back of the main house.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
