I have an interesting question.

[redsumit]

OK on an old farm from about 1900's to 1930ish has an old potato cellar.now from the rite back corner of the old cellar about 15 to 30 feet is a circular hole built up w/ stone, which is between the old house foundation which is about 50 to 60 yards away. my question is, how do i tell if that was a cistern OR a well? i would think that either has different aspects of MDing. somehow. wouldn't a cistern be closer 2 the house. ohh this hole is uncovered and about 10 to 15 ft deep today. any help would be great. diameter is bout 2 ft

 

[Larry (The Palm Bay Pirate)]

Redsumit,
I have my doubts that a hole in the ground 2' x 15' would be a cistern, unless it was lined with concrete. What you may have is a dry well or full outhouse that was filled in for saftey reasons. Usually farms in the 1800 -1900s had a lot of children around and filling them in was a common practice back then. Larry (The Palm Bay Pirate)

 

[redsumit]

dude its deep if i could get in there it would be well (no pun) over my head n im 6' 2"

 

[joecoin]

I've got the same hole near my house, except it is lined with brick. Can't tell the true depth, it's full of trash.
I'm thinking about digging it out this winter.