Page 4 - 2015_Cabin Days curriculum booklet

BUILDING A
LOG CABIN

In order to survive in the wilderness that
was once Indiana a pioneer family had
to build a home. What follows is the
process by which a family would take
trees and construct a home.

First the land had to be cleared of trees.
Trees were cut down using axes and
handsaws. The logs were either burned
or set aside to be used later. The tree
stumps and roots were left in the ground
to rot. Stumps were always in the way,
especially if you were walking around in
the dark of night. The trees were then
cut into logs. If there were other settlers
in the area, they would help with the clearing because this was a very
hard job.

The logs were then notched at both ends. Four logs were assembled into
a rectangle for the foundation of the log home. Layer by layer, the next
logs were put into place and slowly, the walls began to appear. The walls
were usually 8 or 11 logs high.

If there were no nails, wooden pegs were made to hold the cabin
together. Nails might be available if there was a blacksmith in the area.

The spaces between the logs were filled with mud and wood chips to
keep out the wind, rain and snow. This is called chinking.

The roof was often made of cedar logs or cedar shingles. Cedar wood is
more waterproof.