Eastern Iowa Landmarks
I've always been interested in history.
Sometimes it's easy to overlook the historical landmarks that are in our
own neighborhoods and surrounding communities.
Hopefully we'll discover spots that you weren't aware of, or maybe even
learn more about those you do see but gloss over.
Oelwein's Log cabin
Location: Orville Christophel Park
1st Avenue and 1st St SW, Oelwein
1st Avenue and 1st St SW, Oelwein
J.B. Burch built the cabin in 1852.
The construction has often mistakenly been attributed to the Oelwein family, who the town is named for.
Unfortunately I can't find dimensions, but my 11 year old is a good reference for size.
Unfortunately I can't find dimensions, but my 11 year old is a good reference for size.
It's SMALL - and therefore obvious where the term cabin fever comes from.
photos from Fayette County Genealogy
Thankfully the log cabin is now in better repair than the last of the postcards.
It's located across the street from the Coliseum Ballroom, which I'll mention in a future post.
Log Cabin History
Scandinavia deserves credit for the creation of cabins.Zook Cabins, in Pennsylvania, offers great insight about the evolution of these humble homes.
"Thank The Swedes For Our Beautiful Country"
"Unbeknownst to the Swedes and Finns, their innovative wood construction techniques benefited the colonization of the New World log cabin history immensely. The Swedes and Finns brought generations of construction experience of building with timber and simple hand tools. Once they arrived on the banks of the Delaware River and settled in the surrounding region, they knew exactly how to deal with the lack of available housing.
(photo from Pinterest)
The New World had familiar timber, so they built log cabins. Their building techniques were soon copied by the British, Scottish, and Irish immigrants. The ingenuity of the log cabin was that the construction was extremely simple and required no more than an axe and saw. The pioneers could simply stack the logs one upon the other, and they weren’t restrained by the need for nails or spikes to keep the structure together. Plus, the log cabins could be constructed by one person in a couple of weeks. If there were two or more people available, the construction of the log cabin could be completed in just a few days.
The Log Cabin Empowered
The Colonization Of North America
The availability of timber, the simple tools required for construction, and the possibility of individual construction caused the log cabin to be a significant factor in the success of the New World colonization. The log cabin became the well-known architectural choice for all pioneers and settlers during the 1700 and 1900s as the New World expanded across what is now known as the United States of America, etching itself another chapter in log cabin history.Humble Beginnings To National Recognition
The log cabin has not only impacted America’s beginnings, but this wooden home has also influenced America’s political and social culture. In the early American Frontier days, the log cabin was meant to offer temporary housing until the pioneers could build bigger, more comfortable timber board houses. The original log cabins were simple, hastily constructed makeshift structures. Not only were log cabins viewed as temporary and humble, they also coincided with the incredible hardships faced
on the North American Frontier.
on the North American Frontier.
(photo from Pinterest)
I hope you enjoy a little information about a landmark
that's near where I grew up.
that's near where I grew up.
If you know of points of interest in your area, email or text me so I can
check them out and share with others.
Thanks!
~ Judy
(319-551-3170 or judyavenson@remax.net)
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