1700's Log House

One of the oldest log houses in Dauphin County, it was built around 1750 - 1760 and is located in Middle Paxton Township about one half mile west of the Peter Allen House, south of Peters Mountain (originally the Kittatinny). The farm on which it is situated was owned for some years by Ike and Jubie Garman, and around 1937 it was purchased by Miss Kathryn M. Nell. Miss Nell's brother-in-law, Maynard M. Fulton, restored and lived in the house with his wife. Mr. Fulton died in 1970.

A 1937 Evening News article describes the original house (pictured) as "a plain, square building made of rough-hewn logs and mortar mixed with straw, another sign of its great age. It stands in the center of a large tract of cleared land which afforded both protection from the Indians and excellent farm land. The original spring house still stands on the property. Throughout the house the floors are made of smoothed white pine boards about a foot wide, and more than an inch thick. These are supported by sturdy oak logs which form the ceilings of the rooms beneath." The doors swung on either "Heavenly" or "Heavenly Lord" style hinges (in "H" and "HL" shapes respectively) to keep the witches out.

The Fultons removed the lean-to from the front of the cabin as well as the old weather boarding from the logs. They added wings for extra rooms and dormers for the second floor. They painted the exterior white with touches of black, and shingles simulated the lines of logs. On the inside, colors were kept pale and bright (blue, white, pink, yellow, and green) to provide an air of spaciousness in otherwise small quarters. A modern kitchen was installed.

After the Fultons started their work, they found remnants of several Indian arrows which had been shot into the logs in an effort to burn the cabin. The inch-long weapons were made of deer hair formed into a bullet shape with cord. The deer hair was soaked in oil and ignited and the arrows shot into the cabin in an attempt to set it ablaze.

Other artifacts which were found at the time include three stone arrow heads, a rounded stone drilled with three holes (likely an Indian charm), a copper penny dated 1798, an iron nail, a handmade clothes pin, a handmade iron latch with hand-hammered nuts and bolts, a hand-wrought fork, and a perfume bottle with a copper top. Photo ID: I06056.