A.R. Bowman Museum

In frontier-era Prineville, the backyard outhouse was more than a fixture—it was a fact of life. Until well into the 20th century, the town relied on outdoor toilets, lye for odor control, and “ess pits” that leached directly into the water table. Sanitary? Not so much. During summer months, the heat and flies turned backyards into biohazards.

The situation wasn’t unique to Prineville—across the country, early homes lacked basic plumbing. Before the late 19th century, most American households, particularly in rural areas, relied on wells for water and outhouses for sanitation. In cities, poor waste disposal methods led to regular outbreaks of disease. But the Industrial Revolution and rapid urbanization in the late 1800s created a public health crisis that could no longer be ignored.

Cities began investing in water mains and sewer systems in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Innovations like cast iron piping, flush toilets, and septic tanks became more common. By the 1920s, indoor plumbing had spread in urban centers, though it remained a luxury in many rural communities. According to the U.S. Census, it wasn’t until after World War II that a majority of American homes had complete plumbing facilities. This shift coincided with a sharp decline in deaths from waterborne and hygiene-related illnesses, including influenza, cholera, and typhoid.

As the town of Prineville grew, the stink (and the threat) could no longer be ignored. By the 1930s, sewage systems were slowly appearing, but they were overwhelmed by population growth. It wasn’t until 1941 that Prineville officially banned outdoor toilets, citing concerns over health and water safety.

This wasn’t just about civic pride or keeping shoes clean. Indoor plumbing has been directly tied to dramatic improvements in public health. Once cities adopted sewage treatment and clean water systems, deaths from infectious diseases—especially influenzas and gastrointestinal illnesses—plummeted. Suddenly, toilets became unsung heroes in the fight against disease.

Prineville had a water system as early as 1895, but it wasn’t until the 1900s that indoor plumbing even became possible. At the time, waste from indoor toilets was still discharged into backyard cesspools, which did little to protect the water supply. Despite efforts to implement treatment systems by 1907, the infrastructure lagged behind the needs of the growing community.

By 1930, the town's population was just over 1,000 and nearly doubled by 1940. The 1930s saw construction of the town's first rudimentary sewage lines and a primitive treatment system. But with homes continuing to rely on cesspools and unlined pits, the need for a full overhaul became impossible to ignore. Finally, in the early 1950s, Prineville began building a more modern sewer system, starting in the downtown core.

Still, it would take another decade before neighborhoods like The Heights and rural outposts connected to a comprehensive system. It wasn’t just a plumbing issue—it was a cultural shift. The outhouse, once a symbol of rugged self-sufficiency, gave way to the porcelain throne, bringing with it dignity, comfort, and better health.

So the next time you flush, give a little nod to the engineers (and city councils) of the past. Because in Prineville, indoor plumbing didn’t just change homes. It helped save lives.