Historic Log Cabins of America

Log cabins are a fascinating type of home. They not only are literally made from trees, but they have a romanticism about them that harkens back to a time when people made a way for themselves. A time when people built their homes themselves, harvested the land, cared for the animals, and lived a simple life. While this may be just a romantic vision of the past, it is part of what makes log cabins so special. Log cabins are akin to rowhomes of today. They were the standard living, but living in them was hard.

Log cabins that make up the history of the American push west were small. They often were no bigger than your living room, and they had some space for a couple piece of furniture, a furnace, stove, and some beds. It is hard to imagine living like this now, which makes it even more amazing to think about how so many people achieved so much to help build this amazing country while living in such conditions. At Jaworski Coatings we appreciate this history, and we take pride in keeping log homes well maintained so they become a part of a future generations history. Below are some of the historic log cabins we appreciate from American History.

C.A. Nothnagle House
This is the oldest standing log cabin the United States. In fact, some say it is possibly the longest surviving wooden structure in the Western Hemisphere, Located in Gibbstown, New Jersey, this log cabin home was built sometime between 1638-1643. The house is constructed of hewn logs, dovetail joints and wooden pegs. The fireplace bricks are thought to have been hauled overseas as ship ballast on the same boat that brought the builder. The builder is unknown but thought to be of Scandinavian lineage. This house could be 375 years old!
Steven’s House
This log cabin home sits a block and a half away from the Baltimore Street battle site in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was once inhabited by Thaddeus Stevens. While the structure was built in 1790, the soon-to-be powerful Congressman moved to Gettysburg, in 1816. He opened a law practice and purchased this property, which made him the most famous of this cabin’s occupiers. How long he lived in the cabin during his 26 years in Gettysburg and how he used it is still up for debate. Stevens fought for emancipation, authored the Fourteenth Amendment and spearheaded the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. The log cabin went on the market in 2012 and was purchased almost immediately.
Mortenson-Schorn House
The Mortenson-Schorn, also called VanLeer sometimes, Log Cabin in Swedesboro, New Jersey, was originally built along the north bank of the Raccoon River by Morton Mortenson. A Swedish-Finnish man who emigrated to the New World around 1654, his grandson, John Morton, would go on to sign of the Declaration of Independence as a Pennsylvania delegate. This house is constructed of cedar logs and lime mortar caulk. It was also rumored to have been a station stop of the Underground Railroad. It has been relocated to a cemetery on the Trinity Episcopal Church property.

The history of log cabin homes tells the history of America. At Jaworski Coatings, we like keeping American history prestine. We would not be able to own and operate our family business without those who came before us, log cabin dwellers and all, to make this the land of opportunity. Call us today to see how we can help keep your log cabin home pristine so it makes history of its own.