LOG CABINS IN SPRUCE FOREST

Log cabins are small, one-room houses built of logs notched at the ends and laid one upon another with the spaces filled with plaster, moss, mortar, mud, or dried manure. In North America they were built by early settlers, hunters, loggers, and other wilderness dwellers. They have also been built in Europe, particularly Scandinavia. Though designs vary, a common style features a sloping, single-gabled timbered roof and small windows.

The buildings at Spruce Forest are authentic, original log cabins and other rustic structures that have been lovingly restored with expert craftsmanship, serving as studios for artisans such as a potter, blacksmith, weaver, soap maker, teddy bear artist and herb specialist, stained glass artists, basket weaver and spinner, slate painter and bird sculptor.

Volunteers share storytelling duties in the 1835 Miller House and the 1825 Compton School. Other buildings include the Village Church (1903), Bear Hill School (1913), Schrock Cabin (1930), Eli Miller Shed (1889), Winterberg House (1820 and a former stagecoach stop along the Old National Road, of which we are located along), Glotfelty House (1776), Markley House (1775), Red Shed, Village Office (1991), Stanton’s Mill (1797 and waiting for funds and donations to enable massive restoration).

Log cabin or log house, style of home typical of the American pioneer on the Western frontier of the United States in the great westward expansion after 1765. It was constructed with few tools, usually an axe or an adz and an auger. All the fastenings were of wood. The log walls were chinked with mud to make them reasonably impervious to the wind.

There was no glass, and greased paper might be used across window openings to let some light through. The shutters and doors were fastened on with wooden pegs. There was usually only one door. When the ridge pole of the roof was put in place, roughly hewn flat slabs were laid for a roof. Frequently there was no floor; if there was, it was usually of puncheons, logs split in half, placed with the flat sides up. The furniture was very often roughly made with the same tools that were used in making the house.

All were of crude but efficient workmanship. In settlements where Native American attacks were feared the log houses were sometimes placed to form a protected rectangle. The blockhouse on the Western frontier was often made of logs. Log cabins were frequently built by community enterprise, a “house-raising” being an occasion for entertainment as well as work.

The entire complex is nestled amidst much 18th and 19th century history, as George Washington as a general in the Army coordinated efforts to build this first national road in this great country.  The stone arch bridge is known as The Crossing located on the Old National Road.

I hope you enjoyed my photos of log cabins in Spruce Forest as seen through the lens of my camera.  Future post on the blockhouse will come later.

Thank you for stopping by and reading this post.  I hope you have a great day.

BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!

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