Building a Log Cabin

Log cabins were the first homes on the wilderness frontier.  Huge oaks, poplar, and sycamore were plentiful and formed the frame and walls of pioneer cabins in the Old Northwest.  Log walls were the length of the log - from 12-15 feet wide and 18 feet long.  Upgraded cabins were divided into two rooms, with an attic above and one room downstairs. Logs were notched at the corners with an ax and the spaces left between the logs filled with moss, clay or covered with bark.

Rafters were attached to the uppermost logs, one to another with wooden pins driven through auger holes.  Roofs were bark in the early cabins, later shingles.  Nails were not available so shingles were weighted down with straight logs. (The picture is of a cabin circa 1800 in present day Michigan)  Floors were mostly "puncheon" floors - thick, rough boards split from logs and laid crosswise on round logs and fastened with wooden pins.

There was commonly only one door for protection, also made with puncheon, hung on wooden hinges.  A leather strap was used for opening the door and during the night it was pulled inside which made the door secure.  Upgraded cabins had doors that opened in two parts, similar to later farmhouse doors.  This gave added protection by allowing occupants to see visitors before offering entry.

In the days when Indian attacks were a real danger, a cabin had no windows because only one opening could be defended.  Later on square hole that could be secured with wooden shutter at night and during winter were constructed. The great fireplace was of sandstone, if available, or thick timbers covered with clay and was the center of the home.

There was seldom a trace of glass or metal in early cabins.  As a rule, cabins contained only such pieces of furniture as could be made on the homestead.  A table of a smooth clap on four posts set in auger holes, with short benches and three legged stools for seating.  Shelves, made by laying clapboards across wooden pins driven into the walls and mounted to the ceiling, held utensils, seeds and other things needed in daily life.  Not until sawmills came were there cupboards or chests for storage.

Dishes were a couple of pewter plants, cups and spoons.  During winter evenings, bowls and cups were whittled out of wood.  Long handled gourds were the common drinking vessels in the family.  Beds were bear skins or blankets laid on the floor.  Once settled, a bedstead could be constructed with a pole forked on which slats were laid.  Straw-ticks were large cloth bags filled with straw or dried leaves  and were articles of luxury on the frontier wilderness.

Next time...Daily life Continued
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Today in Pioneer History: "On April 11, 1803, French Foreign Minister Talleyrand offers to sell the Louisiana Purchase to the United States in one of the biggest surprises in diplomatic history.  The final price was $11,500,000. and nearly doubled the size of the United States."