Log cabins have long symbolized the American pioneering spirit and love of independence, an dwith good reason. Traditionally made from inexpensive locally available materials they are well suited to hoesteaders of any era. for the early settlers, most of whom were neither woodsmen or carpenters, they provided sturdy, economical housing that did not require scarce materials or tools, and in colonial times trees were plentiful and free.

Traditional log-building methods were brought here from Scandinavia. The first American log cabins were probably built by Finnish colonists at New Sweden, near the mough of the Delaware River, in 1638. By the 1800's log cabins were common from the Atlantic to California, and from Alaska to the southwest. The chain saw has ended the need for many of the centuries old skills that were used in building the first log cabins.

Hewn beam cabins are a refinement of the round log style cabin. Many of these display a very high degree of craftsmanship. Flush notches permitted installation of exterior siding, and the interior was often plastered over as well, hiding the log work completely.In this example the ends of the ceiling joists are notched over the plate log, indicating the location of the second floor.

Choosing Trees and Preparing Logs
Evergreens - pine, fir, cedar, spruce and larch make the best logs for cabins. An average one room cabin takes about 80 logs. It takes good logging skills to cut your own, and you need transportation to move the logs out of the forest to your building site. The trees should be about eequal in age, thickness and height. Avoid trees with low limbs. Good building logs should be between 8 and 14 inches in diameter, straight and free of structural or insect damage. You should allow about an extra 4 feet per log so that the ends can project beyond the corner notches. Cutting is best done in the winter when the sap is out of the wood so the logs weigh less, season faster and resist decay better.

Peeling logs with a drawknife or spud hleps prevent insect damage and sppeds the drying. This job is easiest when logs are freshly cut. After peeling stack the logs on the ground to prevent warpage and decay and let them season three to six months.

A Safety Note:
Stay alert and safety conscious when working with logs. The site will be uneven, and the logs and the equipment are heavy and awkward to handle. Sharp tools are dangerous, especially in inexperienced hands. Wear PROTECTIVE clothing, boots and safety glasses. Do NOT take chances.

The OTHER Cabin Building pages! Tools you will need*** Notching the walls*** Raising the walls*** Windows and doors*** Roofs and floors*** Finishing up - Shakes*** Finishing up - Chinking***

Montana Log Cabins	Homesteading-myth or fact
Historic Oregon Hotel Log Cabin Inn	Log Cabin Books
The Watson Cabin Museum	Woods used in Log Cabins

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