Florida Botanical Gardens | Heritage Village | Brooker Creek Preserve | Weedon Island Preserve

Heritage Garden, Water Tower, Wind Mill and Outhouse

Heritage Garden:

The garden is planted and maintained by volunteers. Schools throughout Pinellas County visit during the school year.

Water Tower and Wind Mill:

Donated to Heritage Village by William D. Goffigan in March 1983, the Water Tower has been restored but is not operational.

Originally built in Sutherland, Florida (now Palm Harbor) around 1914, the tank was used by the Goffigan family to spray and irrigate their citrus groves.

As early farmers expanded their fields, they needed a reliable source of water for crop irrigation. If farmers did not live near rivers, streams or ponds they dug wells. Windmills piped the water into above ground holding tanks. Farmers took advantageof gravity to distribute the water easily where they needed it.

Out House:

(Depression-era) Typical of similar structures built at this time. During this time rural houses still used the outhouse. Indoor plumbing did not become available to rural areas until mid 1950s.

Tidbits from Time:

Rules of the Privy (outhouse):

Parking Limit:
- 2 minutes on holidays
- 7 minutes in summer
- 12 minutes in winter
Men, raise seat if not sitting.
Smokers and left handlers sit to the left.
Refill catalog and corn cob box when empty.
Do not comment on other occupants eating habits.
Use only on seat at a time ( except on New Years' Eve)
Do not walk on seats.
Not responsible for any newspaper or books left here.
Keep our shoes on.
No drinking or gambling.
Don't shoot animals in privy.
Please observe our four-page limit.
Don't discuss your condition with other occupants.
No fighting.
Waiting must be done outside if full.
Taco, refried bean, sauerkraut and herring eaters, use neighbors privy.
Knock once to determine if occupied.
Knock twice for emergency, and,
If you hear someone running on the path, get out quickly.

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