Re: Vernal Fall Footbridge Comfort Station Closure

The comfort station at the Vernal Fall foot bridge will be closed May 9th from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon for pavement maintenance. The drinking fountain near the bridge will remain available during this temporary closure.

"Comfort Station"?!?

When did a bathroom/restroom/toilet/lavatory start being called "Comfort Station"?

Is that what NPS calls it?

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qumqats

"Comfort Station"?!?

When did a bathroom/restroom/toilet/lavatory start being called "Comfort Station"?

Around 1913...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort_station

.

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plawrence

Quote
qumqats

"Comfort Station"?!?

When did a bathroom/restroom/toilet/lavatory start being called "Comfort Station"?

Around 1913...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort_station

.

It's not a usage I've run into before. Is it a regional usage?

Quote
qumqats

Quote
plawrence

Quote
qumqats

"Comfort Station"?!?

When did a bathroom/restroom/toilet/lavatory start being called "Comfort Station"?

Around 1913...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort_station

.

It's not a usage I've run into before. Is it a regional usage?

I don't think so. It's somewhat of an obscure term, but one that's used a lot by NPS.

http://www.yellowstonewiki.com/wiki/Norris_Geyser_Basin_Comfort_Station
http://www.authumki.com/fed4.html
http://www.nps.gov/zion/parknews/new-comfort-stations-for-watchman-campground.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipsoo_Lake_Comfort_Station
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longmire_Campground_Comfort_Stations

I've seen its use all the way from Yosemite to New England. I know it sounds like a regional thing, but it's just some sort of strange term that's used in some circles.

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y_p_w

Quote
qumqats

Quote
plawrence

Quote
qumqats

"Comfort Station"?!?

When did a bathroom/restroom/toilet/lavatory start being called "Comfort Station"?

Around 1913...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort_station

.

It's not a usage I've run into before. Is it a regional usage?

I don't think so. It's somewhat of an obscure term, but one that's used a lot by NPS.

http://www.yellowstonewiki.com/wiki/Norris_Geyser_Basin_Comfort_Station
http://www.authumki.com/fed4.html
http://www.nps.gov/zion/parknews/new-comfort-stations-for-watchman-campground.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipsoo_Lake_Comfort_Station
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longmire_Campground_Comfort_Stations

I've seen its use all the way from Yosemite to New England. I know it sounds like a regional thing, but it's just some sort of strange term that's used in some circles.

From the Zion page: "The construction of these 900-square-foot buildings will include the restroom facilities, sidewalks and adjacent landscaping. "

So I guess for a restroom to be upgraded to a comfort station you add sidewalks and landscaping!

But I digress, it does sound classier to call it that, especially in literature and websites.

My guess is that in Park Service lingo, a comfort station is a building that its sole purpose is to house multiple restrooms inside vs. a standalone outhouse or a restrooms inside a multi-function building.
.

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hotrod4x5

Quote
y_p_w

Quote
qumqats

Quote
plawrence

Quote
qumqats

"Comfort Station"?!?

When did a bathroom/restroom/toilet/lavatory start being called "Comfort Station"?

Around 1913...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort_station

.

It's not a usage I've run into before. Is it a regional usage?

I don't think so. It's somewhat of an obscure term, but one that's used a lot by NPS.

http://www.yellowstonewiki.com/wiki/Norris_Geyser_Basin_Comfort_Station
http://www.authumki.com/fed4.html
http://www.nps.gov/zion/parknews/new-comfort-stations-for-watchman-campground.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipsoo_Lake_Comfort_Station
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longmire_Campground_Comfort_Stations

I've seen its use all the way from Yosemite to New England. I know it sounds like a regional thing, but it's just some sort of strange term that's used in some circles.

From the Zion page: "The construction of these 900-square-foot buildings will include the restroom facilities, sidewalks and adjacent landscaping. "

So I guess for a restroom to be upgraded to a comfort station you add sidewalks and landscaping!

But I digress, it does sound classier to call it that, especially in literature and websites.

Referring to public toilets as comfort stations started in the early 1900's. My guess it was to protect the "sensibilities" of the woment of that time when body functions were not talked about in public. Since the NPS started during this time period, calling public toilets comfort stations would be the norm and the term has hung on all of these years.