subject: Why We Love Log Cabins [print this page] The Origin of the Log Cabin The Origin of the Log Cabin
While the origin is not precisely known, historically, the roots of the log cabin's development lie buried somewhere in the soils of the eastern part of Europe and Scandinavia. The origination of this simple structure we have come to know and love as a fixture and symbol in history, likely dates back as far as 3500 B.C., when the practice of constructing permanent homes from available resources gave birth to the log cabin.
The First One The very first cabin was likely a rather crude version of the quaint, nostalgic image we picture when we think of the historical log cabin of yesteryear. Just as a tree grows in the forest, so the log cabin grew in its construction and beauty over time, becoming stronger and better equipped to provide shelter as it expanded and grew to fit the needs of its environment.
The Construction
Traditionally tree trunks were stacked on top of one another, with the logs overlapping at the corners. Soon, the idea of notching the ends of the logs to interlock developed the cabin into a stronger, more permanent structure. By filling the gaps and rifts between the logs with filler, such as mud or moss, the log cabin was made weather tight. If only one man was building the log cabin, the structure would often only be as high as the man himself, as lifting logs over one's shoulders was a difficult task. However, by investing in the help of others, a taller cabin could be constructed by rolling the logs on skids created by placing two other logs against the wall of the cabin. Once rolled up the inclination, the logs were positioned into place by ropes or forked sticks. The majority of log cabins usually had no windows. If there were windows built into the structure, animal skins or boards constructed to open and close over the opening were sometimes used. Others used paper to cover the windows. The paper was often made translucent by greasing it with animal fat. This practice also made the covering waterproof.
The Log Cabin of Today
As the log cabin travelled across the continent and eventually overseas with the founders of America, its characteristics and structuring changed as different needs arose. Eventually, the log cabin gave way to the growth of society, and more formal housing took its place. As new homes were created, the cabins left standing were often converted into shelters for animals, outbuildings, or simply left to serve as a relic of the past. Today, very few original log cabins still remain, though replicas have been constructed as a reminder of our history, as well as to satisfy our need for that nostalgic, rustic feel of years gone by.
