Topics City Life

Map Lovers’ Monday: Water for City Hall

Indoor plumbing in mid-19th century Philadelphia

Drainage and Sewerage Report, 1853

Receipt from privy cleaning by the Frankford Odorless Excavating Company, 1885

Privy Cleaning Receipt, 1885

A list of rules governing the sanitary maintenance of privy vaults in Philadelphia in 1915

Privy Regulations

Black-and-white photo of privies, waterless wells used to collect human waste

Privies, Emerald Street, 1919

A list of rules governing the sanitary maintenance of privy vaults in Philadelphia in 1915

Be Thankful You Don’t Live in Pre-Flush Philly