Staff Photo
 
 
Modern sanitation practices were on the minds of the camp’s founders, so a system of latrines with flush toilets was constructed in camp.  A septic tank near the original health lodge served toilets in both Pine Tree Cabin and the Health Lodge. Two large latrines were built for the campers.  The one on the north side of camp, serving Lindbergh, Boone and Byrd sites, was called “Yale”, and the one on the south side, serving Peary, Pershing  and MacMillan was dubbed “Harvard.”  Both were provided with lake water for flushing, provided by the “lake pump” located near Androscoggin cabin.

In the military style prevalent at the time, both latrines featured an open row of toilets allowing no privacy. In the late fifties Camp Ranger Fred Foster was instructed to build plywood enclosures to separate the toilets.

When the Senior Camp was developed across the river a smaller latrine was built there, called “Princeton” in the sixties and later was referred to as "Parris Island". It was served by a well and pump not far from the lake shore.

When new camp sites were being opened, beginning in1955 with Ridgway, pit latrines were dug at each campsite, with a concrete slab and well-ventilated building for each one. During the winter Fred constructed many of those latrines in sections, in his workshop in the basement of the Training Center.  During the spring and fall work weekends we made concrete slabs with smooth bottoms and a large ring at one end, which Fred towed to their destinations with the camp truck.  Crews then assembled the pre-fabricated buildings on the slabs. Some of those slabs can still be seen at abandoned locations.

Eventually Harvard and Yale were removed and pumpable concrete pit latrines were built in the campsites.  "Yale" was removed first in 1963 and then "Harvard" a few years later after being use as a restroom for staff, leaders and guests.  Byrd cabin was moved out of Byrd campsite and now sits in the area where "Yale" was located.  The building that was once "Princeton" is now used for staff housing.



When looking at the 1963 staff photo I remembered that it was the year when we tore down Yale latrine!  I'm sure that Dirk Van Hook was part of the crew smashing it to pieces with sledge hammers and axes. I drove the truck hauling away the fragments.
~Frank Maguire


(Click any photo below to see it larger.
Some have two levels of enlargement)
This wash stand is situated near the
location of Harvard Latrine
Princeton latrine now a staff cabin
Princeton latrine now a staff cabin
Harvard Latrine sign




Page design and layout by:
Dean B. Zaharis
Created: October 30, 2010
Last Update: December 21, 2010
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