Distinguishing Houses from Cabins: Exploring the Pioneers' Perspective
The name of this book and the context of the information refers to the Joseph Greer House, as a house as opposed to being a "log cabin". The Tennessee State Wars Commission (TWC) and the Camp Blount Historical Site Association (CBHSA) label project papers and documents as the "Joseph Greer Cabin". It is not my intention to cause confusion in the descriptive label of the house being called a cabin, however, the popular "modern" description in the minds of many people is a simple log structure is a cabin.
In the early days of settlement, pioneers made a clear distinction between cabins and houses based on the quality of construction. While both served as types of dwellings, cabins were smaller, cruder, and more temporary structures. They were sometimes used as slave dwellings and used by sharecroppers, emphasizing their humble nature. Some cabins were built solely to set up land ownership and stay unoccupied.
It's worth noting that cabins were not exclusively constructed using logs, although log buildings became closely associated with the term by the early 1800s. Thaddeus William Harris (ELLIOT, 2007), a travel writer, observed in 1803 that the initial structures of early settlers were commonly referred to as cabins. He described them as constructed with unhewn logs, with gaps filled with rails, moss, or straw, and final-ly covered with a layer of mud. This aligns with William Sudduth's description of a cabin lacking a fire-place. On the other hand, Harris explained that when logs were hewn, gaps filled with stone, and the roof made of meticulously laid shingles, the structure would be called a log house. As Charles McRaven states in his book, “The Classic Log Hewn House,” shingles, hewn logs, and stone fireplaces were key elements that distinguished a log house from a simple cabin (MCRAVEN, 2005).
With this understanding, our upcoming project will result in a log house rather than a cabin. We will use hewn logs for a refined appearance and enlist skilled craftsmen to construct stone fireplaces. The roof will be adorned with carefully arranged shingles, enhancing the durability and aesthetic appeal of the structure. By incorporating these features, our log house will embody the spirit of the pioneers while providing a more permanent and well-crafted dwelling for future inhabitants.
The log cabin holds a significant place in American history as an iconic symbol of the early frontier and the pioneering spirit that defined the nation's early years. While the label "cabin" may not always be technically accurate, it has become a widely recognized term used in signage, advertisements, and popular culture to evoke a sense of nostalgia and historical appeal (TATE, 2002) (BARRICK, 1986).
The history of log cabins in America traces back to the arrival of European settlers in the 17th century. These settlers, primarily of Scandinavian and Germanic origins (KERR, 1982), brought with them the traditional construction techniques of log homes. Hand-hewn logs were carefully notched and stacked to create sturdy and durable structures.
The log cabin quickly became a practical and suitable dwelling for the early settlers due to the abundance of trees in North America. It provided shelter from the harsh elements and offered a sense of security and stability in the untamed wilderness. Log cabins were simple to construct, requiring only basic tools and materials readily available in the surrounding environment (MEEHAN, 1980).
As the frontier expanded westward, log cabins and houses continued to play a crucial role in the development of the American landscape. They served as temporary shelters for settlers moving into new territories, providing them with immediate housing while they cleared land and created more permanent dwellings. Log houses dotted the wilderness, testifying to the perseverance and self-reliance of the early pioneers (MCDONALD, 2001). The mystique of the log cabin grew alongside the country itself, strongly associated with the ideals of rugged individualism, self-sufficiency, and resilience, which were highly val-ued in the early years of the United States. A humble log cabin on the frontier stood for the American dream, where hard work and determination could lead to a better life.
In Donald Hutslar’s book, (1992), Log Construction in the Ohio country, 1750-1850 he states:
The fact that a building was made of logs did not mean that it had to be crude in construction or in furnishings. Most permanent log houses and barns were, in reality, well-made and finished. Whereas the log cabin was a part of the wilderness epic in Ohio, the log house represented established settlement. There is truly a difference between living in a house built of logs—and a log house. The first implies necessity, primitiveness; the second, a conscious choice. A sophisticated family from the East might well build a log house simply because they expected to begin a brick or stone house as soon as help and material were available. Conversely, another family might be con-tent to exist in a log cabin due to indolence or the expectation of moving with the frontier. This ‘indolence’’ was noted by the eastern traveler, Cyrus P. Bradley, in his ‘Journal’ in June 1835, when he wrote of the log cabins in Pickaway Township, Pickaway County. ‘Many wealthy farmers, who are worth fifty thousand dollars and who both occupy and rent vast tracts of rich and profitable territory, are content to live and die without comfort and without self-respect in these wretched hovels.’’ (HUTSLAR, 1992).
Today, the log cabin has transcended its historical origins and become a symbol of nostalgia and a longing for simpler times. It is often associated with rural living, vacation getaways, and the escape from the fast-paced modern world. Log cabin-themed advertisements, signage, and commercial establishments capitalize on this nostalgic appeal, evoking a sense of authenticity, warmth, and a connection to nature.
While the label "cabin" may not be entirely correct for all log structures, it has become ingrained in the popular consciousness. It conveys a specific image and sentiment associated with the American frontier, standing for the spirit of exploration, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life that defined the early settlers and their enduring impact on the nation's history. Research on this topic requires a broad swath of definitions between “house and cabin,” these terms are used interchangeably, even though subtle differences offer debate. Today, the distinction between “house” and “cabin” stays to some degree but has changed over time. Buildings, such as the Joseph Greer Dogtrot, which would have once been called a house, are often called cabins now. Today, we no longer build cabins for survival. Instead, we build them for hunting lodges, vacation houses, or wooded retreats. Such buildings, often equipped with plumbing and electricity, are far from the crude pioneer cabins of early America. (FERRIS).
* Upper case citations are recorded in the book bibliography.
