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["Richard Wagner" <rewagner@centurytel.net>]

Other possible explanations are that older areas tended to have larger lot sizes. The houses also were not as large a percentage of lot size providing greater water catchment area and increased percolation of rain water.  In many newer areas roof water is diverted directly to drains. Another possibility is that older homes were built before the widespread use of heavy construction equipment. This would have minimized soil compaction.