Age of the Outhouse Ends in Ohio Town as 2-Seater Is Sold

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green’s last outhouse, a two-holer behind the home of a widow who died this year, has been sold.

Public health officials in this university town 25 miles south of Toledo had tried to get rid of the privy, but the owner, Lucille Dannenberger, refused to install an indoor toilet.

Dannenberger’s house, which had no modern utilities, and the outhouse were auctioned for $44,000 in the settlement of her estate earlier this month.

Larry Sorrells, Bowling Green’s environmental director, said the outhouse was the last one in use in the city. Several others still standing are kept for decorative purposes or storage, he said.

The Dannenberger outhouse is the only building on the property that is painted. It has two seats with lids, a slanted roof, a front window, shiny door knob and air vents on the side.