Wold Cabin - Norskedalen

The first important business of the pioneer settler, upon his arrival on Coon Prairie, was to build a house. Until this was done, some had to camp on the ground or live in their wagons—perhaps the only shelter they had known for weeks. So the prospects for a house, which was also to be a home, was one that gave courage to the rough toil, and added a zest to the heavy labors. The style of the home entered very little into their thoughts—it was shelter they wanted and protection from stress of weather and wearing exposures. The poor settler had neither the money nor the mechanical appliances for building himself a house. He was content, in most instances, to have a mere cabin or hut. This was made of round logs light enough for two or three men to lay up. The house would generally be about fourteen feet square—perhaps a little larger or smaller—roofed with bark or clapboard, and floored with puncheons (logs split once in two and the flat side laid up). For a fireplace, a wall of stones and earth was made in the best practicable shape for the purpose, in an opening in the one end of the building, extending outward, and planked on the outside by bolts of wood notched together to stay it. Sometimes a fireplace of this kind was made so large as to occupy nearly the whole width of the house. In cold weather when a great deal of wood was needed to keep the proper warmth inside, large logs were piled in the fireplace. To protect the crumbling back wall against the effects of the fire and to throw forward the heat, two backlogs one on top of the other, were placed against it.

Wold cabin located at Norskedalen

For a chimney, any contrivance that would carry up the smoke would do. They were usually constructed of clay and sticks. Imagine a cold winter’s night when the storm of wind and snow was raging without, the huge fire blazing within, and the family sitting around. It  might be cozy enough if the cold was not too intense; and, in reality, before those fireplaces there was often something of cheer, as the farmer sat smoking—if he had any tobacco; and the wife knitting—if she had any yarn and needles.

For a door to his log cabin the most simple contrivance that would serve the purpose was brought into requisition. Before a door could be made, a blanket often did duty in guarding the entrance. But, as soon as convenient, some boards were split out and put together, hung upon wooden hinges, and held shut by a wooden pin inserted in an auger-hole.