Log Cabins of the Early Settlers

When

• The first log cabins were erected in America in the 1600s. A Swedish cabin, said to be the oldest standing log house in the United States, is thought to have been built between 1638 and 1655, to date early construction of these homes. More log cabins were built in the 18th century as waves as settlers continued to flood the land. Around this time and into the 19th century settlers headed west past the Appalachian Mountains into Kentucky and Tennessee, where log construction became a popular form of home building.

Who

• The Swiss, Swedish and Germans were the most influential of the European settlers in the construction of log cabins. The Swedish particularly were the most renown for their design and many other settlers borrowed the basic construction of log cabins from the Swedes, while still implementing construction techniques from their own homelands. The French, on the other hand, brought in their developed design which was somewhat different from other forms.

Construction

• Settlers from various parts of Europe brought in their own styles of designing and constructing log cabins. While the French were in a class of their own, introducing an unusual form of construction, building vertically with logs, the Swedish were known for the quality of their construction. Swedish cabins were built with the bark still on the logs. Instead of using nails during the construction, notches were carved into the wood allowing for a sublime and secure fitting of these logs, which were laid horizontally.

Purpose

• Contrary to popular belief, log structures weren't only used for family homes. In addition to a warm, quality home, this kind of construction was also used as a temporary lodging for soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Log schools, churches, stores, mills, barns, and corncribs were also also constructed with this popular building method, as it was generally the most sturdy and reliable form of construction.