Interesting Facts About Indoor Plumbing in the White House!
When people think about presidential greats like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Franklin Roosevelt, they usually do not think about their toilets, showers, and sinks. However, believe it or not, these historical figures had to go to the bathroom like everyone else. History buffs may be interested to learn that the White House did not have indoor plumbing until the 1830s! That’s right; George Washington could not use the bathroom in his own home.
To celebrate Presidents’ Day, here are some fascinating facts about our nation’s founding father’s most private matters: showering and bathing!
Did the White House Always Have Indoor Plumbing?
The White House did not have indoor plumbing until John Quincy Adams, the seventh president of the United States, was in office. Even then, he did not get to enjoy many of the modern-day conveniences many people take for granted. The first form of running water in the White House was an iron garden pump that featured nine spout holes. The device was primarily used for gardening, as Adams was an avid gardener who wanted to maintain the White House grounds.
It was not really until the 1850s that the White House received many of its recognizable improvements when Franklin Pierce was president. He ordered the construction of what was considered to be a luxurious bathroom that featured hot water. Before that time, hot water had to be poured into the bathtub using a hot kettle.
Since then, the White House has many, if not more, of the conveniences that homeowners take for granted.
President Taft and the Custom-Made Bathtub
To put it bluntly, William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States, was a stout man…very stout. Toward the end of his life, he weighed an estimated 350 pounds. For the most part, Taft’s presidency was unremarkable, and he only served for one term. However, urban legend has it that he got stuck in his own bathtub. That’s right; Taft was so overweight that, according to sources, not only did he get lodged in his bathtub, but it took six men to get him out!
To avoid this embarrassment from happening a second time, Taft ordered a custom-made tub. The tub was over seven feet long and 41 inches wide. It also weighed more than 2,000 pounds! Still, while there is no documentation to support that Taft really got stuck in a bathtub, it is certainly amusing to think about.
Who Were the “Plumbers” of Watergate?
Perhaps one of the most scandalous events in presidential history, President Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal is filled with interesting factoids. Without getting into too much detail, Nixon initially established a Special Investigations Unit to prevent certain pieces of information from getting to the public. After the project was disbanded, Nixon later used some of those individuals to break into the Watergate Hotel and steal some pieces of information.
These individuals called themselves and were referred to as “plumbers.” In reality, they were not plumbers at all. Instead, they were operatives working for Nixon’s administration. Considering what happened after the Watergate scandal was revealed to the public, perhaps it would have been best if Nixon allowed some things to remain private.
Get in Touch With Towers Plumbing
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