24. The Log Cabin

Log houses existed in the Scandinavian area of Europe somewhere around 8000 B.C. The 'style' was brought to North America by Swedish and Finish settlers about 1638.

Most of our original European settlers were fleeing from events in their birth countries; wars, disease, famine, unjust laws, religious intolerance and much more!
In most cases the settlers arrived to a land that was much more savage and hostile than they had been told. (Despite inflamed stories to the contrary, the original settlers, the aboriginal peoples, often did their best to share knowledge and help these new arrivals.)
Obviously, while fighting for survival, the Europeans were not going to worry about style and decoration. Hence their earliest 'architecture' comprised of products that were at hand to create crude LOG HOUSES (or STONE CABINS). (I'm sure some of the choice related back to what existed in their birth country.)

What to look for (clues)

• (Earliest) Rough-hewn logs laid horizontally on top of one another.

• Various types of 'cuts' were made at the corners to lock the logs in place.

• Simple materials such as moss would fill in the chinks between the logs.
  

• (Later) Squared timber was used.
  

The size and location of doors and windows reflected the need for safety and convenience.

Where to find it

A surprising number of log structures still exist in the lesser settled northern areas of our provinces where trees are readily available.
'Pioneer settlements' (museums) are also available. The example shown is in one such conservation area at Port Rowan in Southern Ontario.
There are also large, modern, 'kit-form' log homes that exist. This will be a later posting.