Custom Cabin Kits

Some people ask if we make custom log cabin kits. Most are looking for a miniature version of an old cabin on their property or a replica of their original family homestead. We have even made kits of historical cabins, like the Apple River Fort cabin. The original stands in Elizabeth, IL, a few miles outside of Galena.

Usually, the customer has an old photograph, a property description, an old deed or even a drawing. Based on the factual information, we do our best to guesstimate height, dimensions, placement and size of doors/windows, etc.

Our latest custom project was replicating a Pennsylvania family farmhouse from the early 1700s. The original log cabin was built atop a stone spring house. The family had an old photo of the house, from the 1950s. The cabin had been sheathed with clapboard and the chimney (which was originally on the outside wall had been enclosed during an enlargement of the structure.

Luckily, the customer discovered the original length and width of the cabin from an ancient property deed.

We shipped the custom kit around Christmas 2009. The customer ordered custom-made windows and doors from another supplier. As you can see, the cabin is shaping up nicely. . . . on top of what will appear to be the springhouse’s stone foundation!

Log Cabin Kitchen

In the past, a log cabin home was a pioneer family's first shelter. As the family grew and prospered, a new home might be built. In this case, from the 1840s, the new home was a frame structure with wood siding. Our pioneers, being frugal, usually saved the log cabin, using it for other purposes. In this case, it was used as a cookhouse. The lchimney is interesting. You'd think a wood chimney is a fire hazzard. But the split wood shell you can see serves as the support for a fire-hardened, mud-lined inner flue. This type of chimney construction was common in Jamestown, Plymouth and other English settlements of the 17th century. Cooking could be a big job in the 18th and 19th century as families were usually large and additional hired hands might be needed at certain times of the year to care for livestock, tend fields and harvest crops. Almost everything in the kitchen was made fresh daily. Ummm, I can almost smell the fresh bread baking!

Log Cabin Barn

In the old days, the barn was as important as todays’ garage. It housed some of the livestock, equipment (like saddles, mowers, plows) and food (hay, corn and oats) for the farm animals and seeds for next years' crops.
This pioneer barn, typical of structures built around 1845, is located at the Thomas Lincoln Farm in Lerna, Illinois. Thomas Lincoln was the father of President Abraham Lincoln.

As you can see, the barn (a reconstruction) is a large structure made of long logs notched at the corners. The walls are not chinked, as the animals living inside do not require any additonal protection from the changing Illinois weather. The barn is high and dry, with two large doors in the middle.