Growing up in a century-old house meant living with plenty of quirks—creaky floorboards, chilly drafts, and a basement that always felt just a little too eerie. But one feature stood out above the rest: a lone toilet tucked away in one corner of the basement. No sink, no walls, no privacy—just a single, exposed fixture that no one in the family ever used or discussed. Still, it lingered in my memory.
Years later, while restoring historic homes, I started noticing similar setups in other old properties. What I had once dismissed as a design oddity turned out to have a fascinating and practical backstory.
This curious fixture is known as a “Pittsburgh potty,” named after the city where they were especially common in early 20th-century homes. At the time, many residents worked physically demanding jobs in industries like steel, coal, and construction. Homes often had separate entrances that led directly into the basement, and the idea behind the basement toilet was simple but smart: it gave workers a place to clean up and take care of basic needs before heading upstairs to the main living areas.
It wasn’t just about convenience—it was about keeping the house clean. With no running the risk of tracking dirt or grease through the home, the basement toilet helped families maintain hygiene in an era when indoor plumbing was still evolving.
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