Chris:

My Means Illustrated Construction Dictionary says a "well, wellhole [note it
is shown as one word] (1) Any enclosed space of considerable height, such as
an air shaft or the space around which a stair winds [stairwells above a
ceertain height now have to be closed in for safety and fire reasons]. (2) A
collection device for ground water. (3) A wall around a tree trunk to hold
back soil. (4) A slot in a machine or device into which a part fits."

None of these seems to be very good as an item, the lack of which, is worth
calling out as a major selling point for a building though the idea of a
well or cistern in the basement might be if it could be seen as a health
hazard (hence it following the "all light, southerly exposure to sun and
air" which I presume is mentioned for its health benefits).

Is this about the time of the TB concerns?

Signed, don't know much about history...

-----Original Message-----
From: Met History [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 2:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: "no well holes"


In a message dated 8/28/02 2:32:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:




Could it refer to light wells or do you folks call them areaways or light
shafts?



Yes, although I have never seen that coinage before.  But I sent it out to
bullamanka-space with the idea that some plumbing nut might have a different
idea.   Indeed, the building has no closed light courts, only wide slots to
the rear.

Best,  Christopher