how to locate outhouses

[master_cat]

Iv got several old home sites I know they had outhouses and dumps I can not find them any help great

[Diggler]

Easiest way is with a Sanborn map. If they are country houses not on any survey then you can only look for signs. If you know the orientation of the house it would have been out back. Usually down prevailing wind direction. Might be a slight impression in the ground. But if you plan on digging outhouses then definitely get a probe. You can punch around until you find soft ground and even tell if you are hitting glass with a proper probe. Lots of times they filled them in with junk so you might have to go deep to get to the good stuff.
Good luck!

[Iron Patch]

A probe, or dig test holes.

You can dig a test hole to see how deep the hard pan is, then when detecting and digging a hole anyway, dig it down a little deeper to see if you hit hard dirt or a color change. Definitely do it anytime the pottery, glass, or shells seems a little thicker. I have found many over the years by luck just chasing a big target.

[GunDog]

How about going downwind and using your nose?

[master_cat]

Well I think the stink is long gone lol

[VaMark]

Originally Posted by master_cat

Well I think the stink is long gone lol

Lets hope so if your going to be digging in them

[ruthlessPawn]

I think I found one in my backyard, and located one in a yard I have been hunt! I get a jumpy vdi and when I dig down I hit an old coal bed. When an old outhouse was full and they would move them(dig a new one), they would fill the old one in and put a bed of coals above them like a charcoal filter to absorb the smell......if it helps! Good luck!
HH!
Justin

[bb_in_maine]

If you're hunting old foundations, look on the side of the cellar hole opposite from the side with the well...