Lowerhouse Mile - 'Outside Toilets'

In the early 19th century, working class homes did not always have their own toilet and had to share one, which was generally a small brick building within a row of houses, which local residents often had to queue to use. The toilet itself usually consisted of a wooden box seating structure above a 'Long Drop' system to allow the sewerage to escape into the underground sewers.

In the later part of the century, toilets were generally white porcelain pans, with a wooden bench structure on top for seating. A metal cast iron cistern was fixed to the wall above the toilet containing water, which was released by pulling a chain to flush away the sewerage from the toilet pan below.

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Typical toilet interior, located in the backyard.

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Basic wooden seating structure
above a 'Long Drop' toilet system

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Note - 'The chamber pot'
Normally placed under the bed for nightime use,
then emptied the following morning.

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Toilets later became more refined with improved sewerage sytems,
and had their own pull chain water cistern above for flushing.

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Further toilet improvements included
shaped wooden seats for more comfort.

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Note the oil lamp for nightime use