Philosofarmer
Well-Known Member
Here on the "philosofarm" we have been struggling with a low yield well. With a big family its just not been cutting it. So, we got a trackhoe in to head up a historically good spring which was the source of water here for an old cabin (long ago taken apart and removed) and used later to water cattle. The fella that sold us the land told us our spring has always produced abundantly and that the water was "so cold it would bust your teeth!!!" From what I can tell, even in the record droughts we had a few years ago, he is right! We have always observed a steady supply of water coming from the spring. With a trackhoe we were able to get even farther into the head and have really cleaned it up and consolidated even more water by chasing the source deep down and into solid bedrock. Heavy machinery produced results that they could have only hoped for years ago with only shovels (they got most of it way back when, but it was still weeping all around the head). Now we have exceptional flow (enough to fill a 1 1/2" pipe or so, but we went ahead and did a 2" pipe). We chased it into solid rock, bricked it up into a box, graveled inside and packed it all around with red clay dirt. We are going to be burying a 1000 gal tank to draw from when the well gets low, maybe even using it as a primary source. Water problem solved......but
I got to thinking that down hill from that tank I could build an old fashioned spring house. I have been looking at some of the spring houses in my area that are still around just to get some ideas. I was wondering if anyone out there on the forum had stories, mountain lore, pictures of or insight into springhouses? It will be a backup for all the good things that they use to be used for before electricity and modern refrigeration: drinking water, cooling our goat's milk in 1/2 gal jars, aging cheese, and whatnot.
From what I can gather most springhouses were fairly small (about 10' x 12' ish) made of rock (later, brick or cinder block which is what I will use) and had a big trough going longwise along the wall. The ones I have seen sometimes have shelves all around overhead for storage and maybe even a bench opposite the trough ( I assume for just sitting in the cool on a hot day and maybe wash clothes???). The cooling troughs I have seen all have stepped shelves that go deeper and deeper to accommodate jars or crocks of different heights. Most of the old timers willing to "show and tell" would talk about how they use to keep a brook trout or a "spring lizard" (a.k.a. salamander) in the trough to "keep impurities out" but also to let them know if the water went bad (kinda like a canary in the coal mine). Anyway, I thought maybe some folks could chime in and share what they know while I am still in the planning phase. Don't be bashful, get in here and chime in,,,I know some of ya'll have some stories to tell and fond memories to share!!!
I got to thinking that down hill from that tank I could build an old fashioned spring house. I have been looking at some of the spring houses in my area that are still around just to get some ideas. I was wondering if anyone out there on the forum had stories, mountain lore, pictures of or insight into springhouses? It will be a backup for all the good things that they use to be used for before electricity and modern refrigeration: drinking water, cooling our goat's milk in 1/2 gal jars, aging cheese, and whatnot.
From what I can gather most springhouses were fairly small (about 10' x 12' ish) made of rock (later, brick or cinder block which is what I will use) and had a big trough going longwise along the wall. The ones I have seen sometimes have shelves all around overhead for storage and maybe even a bench opposite the trough ( I assume for just sitting in the cool on a hot day and maybe wash clothes???). The cooling troughs I have seen all have stepped shelves that go deeper and deeper to accommodate jars or crocks of different heights. Most of the old timers willing to "show and tell" would talk about how they use to keep a brook trout or a "spring lizard" (a.k.a. salamander) in the trough to "keep impurities out" but also to let them know if the water went bad (kinda like a canary in the coal mine). Anyway, I thought maybe some folks could chime in and share what they know while I am still in the planning phase. Don't be bashful, get in here and chime in,,,I know some of ya'll have some stories to tell and fond memories to share!!!
Last edited: