Sunday, October 4, 2009



The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial provides a beautiful walk among the history of Southern Indiana.

As an aside to the subject of this post...I am listening to a history of Early America on Audible at the present time and the author mentioned a very interesting fact that I was unaware of. I have always been infatuated with log cabins and someday I will live in one, so his statement caught my attention. He stated that Maryland or Delaware, one of the original 13 colonies was initially settled by the Swedes and that they introduced a very practical life sustaining element to the new world....

The Log Cabin!

He went on to say and I agree that this contribution by the Swedes was one of the most important contributions to settling the new world...as the settlers moved west...they took the technology of the Log Cabin with them and it became the mainstay of early American habitat. With the many pictures and visits I have made to log cabins across the country...I never knew that fact. Below is a link to this fact and a quote from the website.

Swedish Log Cabin...
".....Log Cabin architecture was a major contribution of the Swedes. European settlers from other countries copied this style of housing and the log cabin became popular all across America. Many an aspiring presidential candidate, in later years, claimed to have been born and raised in a “humble log home”......

Enough of my "history" lesson. If you look in the door of the cabin at the top of the post...you will see the chair and the mirror above the dresser which is shown in the second image inside. Also in the picture of the inside...if you look in the mirror...you will see the legs of my tripod!

Dan

16 comments:

aurbie said...

I, too, could live in a log cabin. How beautiful you have made this one look. I love the boots hanging on the wall.

I did not know that about the Swedish people giving us the log cabin.

Great photo, as usual. Don't you just hate it when you see a piece of your equipment in a photo? Sometimes, we get into our work so much we don't see the obvious.

DawnTreader said...

So that was you fact about Sweden! :) Yes, that looks and sounds familiar, about the cabins... One of those things I know without thinking of it as knowledge, if you get my meaning...

There is a series of novels about Swedish emigrants settling in North America, by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg, which I think you might find interesting. Written back in the 1950s, but the story set around the 1850s, they are counted among our best known classics. Translated not only into English but into several foreign languages. They were also filmed back in the 70s and even turned into a successful musical in the 90s. Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emigrants_(novels) and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilhelm_Moberg

One of my ancestors too emigrated to America, a cousin of my grandmother's. Unfortunately we have lost contact with the descendants.The last we heard of a second cousin of my mum's she was living in Indianapolis. But a letter I sent to inform her of mum's death this summer got returned.

The Lly Dilettante said...

I like the second shot with your tripod in the mirror! The quilt on the bed looks so comfy and inviting.

Sunny said...

Being a lover of primitive decor, I think these pictures are simply wonderful.
Even in its simplicity the room is so inviting.
Sunny :)
Be sure to check:
http://www.barnyardsandbarnacles.com/2009/10/glug-glug-glug.html

septembermom said...

A log cabin always seems so comfy and rustic. I appreciate all that info about the Swedes and log cabins. Thanks for giving me some interesting info and great photos to enjoy!

Heather said...

From the time I was young, I wanted desperately to own my own log cabin home one day. I am a log cabin girl at heart :)

Dan Felstead said...

Patty...the tripod was news to me...I took the picture and later my wife saw it...I would have missed it! Thanks for your comments.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...It is a small world! I live about 2 and one half hours from Indianapolis. I know the area well.

I will also look up the books you mentioned. Thanks for the info.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Lly...my wife collects quilts and she loved it as well. Thanks for the comment.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny, thanks and I will check out your link.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...the iffno about the cabins and Swedes was news to me as well. What a great contribution to the settlement of the country!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...you and I are on the same wavelength!

Dan

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful photos.

Dan Felstead said...

Tricia thanks for the comment... and while I am commenting here...I loved your water pictures today.

Dan

Anonymous said...

As you know I'd love to live in this type of serenity. I've never visited a real log cabin before. Every element in your photo shows character, a sense of belonging and comfort. Thanks again for the history lesson. I learn so much from you!

Dan Felstead said...

Pura. thanks for your comment...this is in stark contrast with the urban scene. Both have their special elements but when it comes to serenity...Nature wins the contest.

Dan