How to Build a Pioneer Cabin

To build a pioneer cabin, begin with a plan for the log house. The typical pioneer cabin is small. You might make it about 14 or 15 feet long and about 10 feet wide. Mark out these dimensions on the ground and completely clear the land in this space. Dig out any stones or roots. Stamp it down until it is completely flat. Remove anything that might remain in the way of the walls. Gather together a collection of logs in two dimensions. One set of logs should be about 15 feet long. The other will be about 2 feet longer than the short side--that means about 12 feet. Make sure the logs are fairly thick around and all are about the same width.

Place two long logs directly on the ground. They will form the long sides of the pioneer cabin. Take the ax and cut a notch about foot from the end of each of these big logs. Next, select two of the short logs. Cut a notch on the top and bottom of each end of the short logs. These notches should also be a foot from the end of the log. Take these logs and lay them perpendicular on top of the long logs. Fit the notches snugly together. The ends of the short logs should stick out over the long logs by about a foot on each end.

Build up the walls by adding more layers of logs in the same way--cutting notches at both ends. Alternate between short and long logs. Continue until the walls are at least 5 feet high. The pioneer cabin needs to be big enough to stand up in. Leave room for a door at one end. You may also want to add windows. Spaces for doors and windows can be made by using shorter logs on the appropriate side. For windows, use shorter logs at the necessary height.

Make a roof by building a kind of vault. Lay each new layer of logs slightly closer to the interior of the pioneer cabin than the layer below. The logs will move inward at a steep angle. You will need to adjust log sizes more carefully than before. Eventually the log walls will meet in the center. It is essentially a wooden version of a corbeled vault. This was the technique used by the Maya to roof in stone, and by Islamic architects to build domes. Once you have the logs in place, you can finish the roof with shingles. Make the shingles by splitting them from some more logs. Overlap them on the roof and nail them in place.

Finish the pioneer cabin's interior by filling the spaces between the logs. Traditionally, pioneers used moss and earth and maybe pine branches. You can also make window sills out of cut logs. Make doors and window shutters out the same material.