Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Not in my home county after all, but really cool old cabin. Marrs Log House Kentucky.






Theodore Roosevelt's cabin at his Maltese Cross Ranch

Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Ranch 
Before moving and restoration.













After











 Here it is in it's original location.
Here it is in 1904 at the St Louis Worlds Fair at a time when it was traveling around the country on display.












TR's Elkhorn Ranch was also a log cabin, but, alas was not saved.


I will have to go back because I missed it when I went in '76

Black Mountain cabin Philmont Scout Ranch.

 Said to have been built in the 1890's

Monday, May 16, 2016

Back to the bone yard. . . .

 Got out to the cabin on Friday and started once again going through the remaining logs (the bone yard) for the new project.
Did not find as many full logs in good shape as I would have like, been it didn't turn out as bad as it could have been.
Over the years this particular cabin had had a few modification of new doors and windows done to it that there were not a whole lot of long logs to begin with.

This log to the left would have been the first log on top of the sill (first log down). The sill log is the one setting on top of the foundation.
This log to the left would be the next one, one of two connecting the two sill logs.
Usually the first log on top of the sill log would have this type of notch. Not a 'V' or 'dovetail' notch.
The logs after this one would then have the other notches.
Look how clean that notch is!
 Usually, like this one, you will find the cut-out for the bottom of the door on this log.

The sill logs would also often be where the floor joists were anchored to.


This log is one of the two top plate logs.
The last logs to go on.
The one the rafters are attached to.
The two wonderful notches tie the whole cabin together.
 Another view.
 These top two usually would  have been the longest logs on the building.
Here it is behind my car.




















On these logs below, on the finished ends, you can see small holes drilled in them.
This would indicate the logs where doors or windows would have been. The door and window frames, in older cabins, would have been hand hewn boards, then attached with wooden pegs about an inch in diameter. I am using a couple old window frames as coat and hat racks. (remind me to take a picture of those.)

This log is one of two that supported the second story floor joists.

Look closely and you can see where the floor joist notches are.
I will get a better picture.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Lincoln's mothers early home. . . .
























Beautiful.

Abraham Lincoln's log birthplace.


The logs on a train car being moved to where they will be rebuilt and protected.




Wednesday, May 4, 2016

At least he had his music. . . . I hope.

I was going to post this on my logblog page (and I still may)(and I did), but there is so much more to this photo than just an old log cabin.
I think poverty was the first word that came to mind.
From a log cabin point of view the cabin is just a dismal representation of a home.
I have visited and taken photos of better built barns and sheds than this mans poor home.

I am of course assuming a lot here.
I am assuming this is his home. I think I am right, but we will never know for sure.

No shoes.
It looks like he may have an injury on his left foot.
Logs are holding down the roofing shingles.
There is a door. And a window, although no glass.
Boards over the gaps between the logs.

But what is also incredible here is the home made violin(?). All of it made from a block of rough cut wood. His bow is a bent twig! A bent twig.

Like I said, I am assuming a lot here. Maybe it is a chicken coop or shed or small out building, but I don't get that feeling.
I hope who ever he his he one day found a place to really pursue his love of music.

So, over the next few days I am going to post some pictures of old slave dwellings.
I took a cabin down many years ago that I was told was a slave cabin. It was in somewhat better shape than this mans.

Ft Zumwalt update. . . .

Drove by to check on the progress of this almost finished rebuild of the old fort in OFallon, Mo.

 Spring is coming along nicely by the old fort.
 As we can see, work is about done on the reconstruction. They even have the insdie furnished for the most part.
Windows and doors are period and look great.
 Nice stone work on the chimney.

















Here is how it looked way back when.
And here is the same view today.
 Looking up from down the hill.
 The south side.


They have even put in a small herb garden.