Dillon, Montana, USA

Different geography, same adaptation to the frontier. Thousands of miles away from the East Coast (Rocky Mountains), and centuries later in time (1800s), pioneer settlers continued to make single-pen log cabins their starter homes. This one was moved into town from a nearby ranch. Imagine surviving a winter here. Single pen = single room. [2020]

Chickamauga, Georgia, USA

Unlike Europe, which had suffered centuries of deforestation, America had plentiful and easily exploited timber resources. On the frontier, therefore, single-pen log cabins became the "starter homes" of the day. This one has survived because it is on the Chickamauga battlefield and played a prominent role in Civil War military history. [2013]

Swedesboro, New Jersey, USA

Who built the first long cabins in America? The Swedes of New Sweden (which included many Finns) on the lower Delaware River. This may be the second oldest (ca. 1654) to survive. It is smaller than the Nothnagle cabin, but both are single-pen structures, originally with dirt floors. If you are into today's minimalist movement, this might be your ideal home. [2005]

Gibbstown, New Jersey, USA

The Nothnagle single-pen log cabin may be the oldest surviving log structure in the United States. (Attached house built much later.) Date: ca. 1640. Size: Larger than most. Builder: An immigrant from Sweden (though probably a Finn). The Swedish Empire (see the flag?) attempted to colonize the lower Delaware River, calling it New Sweden. [2016]

Hinton, West Virginia, USA

The turkey came to Europe from America, but no one in Europe knew that. The meaty bird (compare with quail) just showed up. Even though it was after 1492, Europeans still assumed anything new came from the eastern Mediterranean and beyond. In this case they decided the new addition to their diet came from Turkey and named it accordingly. [2014]

Brandywine, Delaware, USA

Delaware's Three Covered Bridges: Originally built in 1839 but rebuilt several times since then, Smith's Bridge is the longest in the state. Unlike the other two covered bridges in the First State, this one uses a Burr arch design (see it through the window?) rather than a lattice truss. [2022]

Ashland, Delaware, USA

Delaware's Three Covered Bridges: Built in the mid-1800s, the Ashland Bridge is the oldest in the state. Its value as a cultural landmark was recognized in the 1960s. Since then it has been rehabilitated many times and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All three covered bridges in the First State are open to traffic. Remarkable! [2018]