What lurks beneath the streets in Seattle? You might be surprised to find old toilets, bath tubs, chairs and bank vaults.

Take the Underground Seattle walking tour and one of the first items pointed out is an old wooden toilet! This toilet has seen better days … and shows us how far we’ve come with the Mansfield Plumbing Brentwood HET. Forget about getting splinters and worrying about water flow like with original toilets … this efficient toilet has 1.28 gallons per flush (Gpf) with a concealed trapway and elongated bowl.

Travel a bit further underground on the Seattle tour and you’ll find other abandoned commodes and a steel bath tub from the 1880s and early 1900s. Plus, there’s even an original Thomas Crapper toilet!

            Discovering the history of Seattle beneath its sidewalks is a fun treat if you’re touring the city. But, when you’re done, it’s nice to return “above ground” to all the bathroom luxuries offered in this era.