We bought an older home recently and found these weird spicket type things in the back yard. When I pull out the top part, there is water actively in the hole. I was thinking it could be some type of watering device, but I have no idea. Any thoughts?

I think you are right. See if you can find the source.

Are there nearby neighbors that might know something about them?

They might be valves for a sprinkler system or other watering system. Are their sprinkler heads in the yard?

Could it be a way to use (probably limited) aquifer water below the ground that they used at one time without it being a defined well?

The rest of us seem to have more questions than Kevans27 does!

Kevans, If you get it figured out I hope you will come back here and let us know .

Since the end seems to be a female hose attachment, perhaps it was intended to be hooked up to the hose coming from an outdoor faucet to do some really dee-e-e-e-ep watering?

My first thought was that there might possibly be an Artesian Well beneath the property. I hope you will keep us updated as to what you find out!

edited to correct my spelling.

What is on the other side of the fence?

My neighbor was a big help in figuring out my sprinklers when I moved in- apparently he helped the previous owner with repairs.
So, yeah- ask your neighbors.

I think you (Kevans27) and Porkpal have the answer. Since the hose coupling is female, it is meant to attach to a water source, not be the water source. I think the pipe in the ground is just for handy storage. It has no threads for attaching anything, so I don't see how it could used as a conduit for supplying anything. I'll bet if you gently tug or twist the pipe in the soil, it will come right out.

*But yeah, ask the neighbors first.

It's a good odd question you can use as an ice breaker with your new neighbors