Driving through neighborhoods or along country roads in the rural southern U.S., eventually an old black pot will be seen. Travelers are likely to see at least one old cast iron pot being used as a decorative garden accessory. These old cooking utensils make attractive additions to flower gardens and yards. You might say; southern charm captured in an iron pot.
Cast Iron Pot Uses
Tipped on its side, half filled with dirt or potting soil and over flowing with, blooming flowers, makes many old forgotten pots a thing of beauty. But, consider what could be the history of some of these old, forgotten and possibly cracked cast iron black wash pots.
The cast iron wash pot used by one household for decoration may have a very different function at another time; in another home. For centuries the cast iron pot served as a cook pot as well as a laundry pot. Residents in the early twentieth century had more than ample opportunity to learn its multiple uses.
Not very many years ago, most rural homes owned a black cast iron wash pot. These large half bowls made of iron were not seen as decorative items. Many a person, usually women, would position the three iron legs of the pot atop clay bricks or concrete blocks. After making sure the pot was level, they would carry buckets filled with water from a hand drawn well, pump or stream, and fill the pot. Users of these cast iron pots knew very well filling the pot first was the wisest thing to do. With great care and skill the user positioned kindling around the pot and started a fire.
Draw Backs to Outdoor Laundry
Some may see this as an enjoyable event however, not in those tougher times. The idea of building a fire around a wash pot, outside in the open fresh air sounds pretty good. Now, do it when it ten degrees above zero, and windy. The only good part of doing it is after the fire is up and burning strong. However, up to this point is the easy part.
If it was wash day, clothes would be placed into the pot of boiling soapy water and steered with a shaved paddle similar to a boat oar. The person doing the laundry would be required to constantly watch the fire, to insure it did not get away from the pot and into something flammable. Also, the person doing the wash would have to stir the clothes from time to time to keep the ones on the bottom from burning. This was and is not an easy task, even for adults.
After boiling the dirt from the clothing, which could take a couple of hours, they were removed from the pot, rinsed and hung up to dry. This process had to be repeated with each load of laundry. Clearly, a desire to hug automatic, indoor, self operating washers and dryers may be warranted. Doing laundry by this method will make nearly anyone appreciate modern appliances.
Again, laundry was not the only use for that old black wash pot. It was, and is today, also used for cooking. After a good scrubbing and rinsing, to insure all undesirable stuff was removed from the pot, and it was declared clean, it would be returned to its upright position and another fire started.
Serving a Crowd
Many a freshly fried fish has been served from a boiling hot wash pot half filled with cooking oil. Fish, chicken, and foods of all kinds have been prepared in, and served from a wash pot. Pioneers, pilgrims, and travelers of all sorts have made use of cast iron pots of all sizes and types. Even today attendees to outdoor events which include, “an old fashion fish fry”, may very well be served from an old wash pot still in use.
Traveling a southern country road may offer more than a relaxing drive. That old cast iron wash pot marking time in a flower garden today holds flowers, although tomorrow it could contain dinner or laundry. It's just another piece of the beauty of southern living.
Larry M O'Neal - In 2005, I started writing as a hobby. Over a period of three years, I produced a full length manuscript, and self published; "See You at ...
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