New York did not require indoor toilets until 1901!

That year saw the passage of the landmark Tenement House Act which mandated that landlords install 1 toilet for every 2 apartments.

At 97 Orchard Street, indoor toilets were installed in 1905, 2 per floor.

These hallway toilets remain today because 97 Orchard Street was closed to residents before a law was passed requiring 1 toilet for every apartment.