I am looking for help in old house plumbing history. After hours online, i think i must be browser impaired. So far I’ve got cisterns storing water in attic tanks that supplied the first indoor toilets @ 1870. What about early city water systems? I am in the Minneapolis area and am looking for more info on history and methods. Any body point me in the right direction?
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The Discovery channel had a segment on "Modern Plumbing" with a very detailed timeline of the evolution of the "WC". I believe you can order copies of it online...
http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org/pg02.htm
This is from the 1999 Minneapolis Water Works annual report:
The Minneapolis Water Works (MWW) traces its beginnings to 1867, when a community-wide source of water was established for fire fighting. The system was expanded to include drinking water in 1872. The original system began with a single pumping station drawing water from the Mississippi River at Fifth Avenue South and has evolved into the largest water utility in the upper Midwest.
The water systems in some of the other smaller cities in Minnesota date back to around the same era. I know Red Wing is still using their wellhouse #1, which was built in about 1880.
Edited 10/19/2005 6:53 pm ET by Stuart
http://www.theplumber.com/H_index.html
Here's an interesting site that covers before and after Thomas Crapper's illustrious invention. It's an interesting read, but not for the feint of heart. Boy, has public sanitation come a long way......
http://www.swopnet.com/engr/londonsewers/londontext1.html
Scott.
Edited 10/20/2005 8:39 pm ET by Scott
Edited 10/20/2005 8:40 pm ET by Scott