Why some older homes unexpectedly feature a basement toilet

Growing up, I was puzzled by the lone toilet sitting in our old basement—no walls, no sink, just a toilet. Years later, I discovered it wasn’t unique. These “Pittsburgh potties” were common in early 20th-century homes, especially in industrial cities.

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They served two main purposes: workers coming home filthy could clean up downstairs before entering the main house, and they acted as overflow drains. In cities with outdated sewer systems, backups would release through these basement toilets instead of flooding upper-floor bathrooms—easier to clean on concrete than tile.

Though many are now unused or removed, these odd basement toilets reflect a practical blend of working-class life and clever plumbing solutions from a different era.