I attempted to send this request to the HISTARCH list several weeks ago, but apparently it was not distributed. I appologize if you are receiving a duplicate message.
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A colleague & I have conducted research on several mid-19th c military forts in Kansas (e.g., Ft. Ellsworth, Ft. Harker, Ft. Wallace, & Ft. Dodge). Many of the buildings, usually considered to be temporary, were constructed of logs placed vertically in the ground, usually in a trench. These forts were not surrounded by stockades or palisades, but a number of the individual buildings (enlisted barracks, mess houses, etc.) were constructed in this manner. We have found some information on this construction style in military sources, including suggestions that some French military buildings were constructed this way. So far we have had little success in determining how far back this type of construction technique was used and whether it was common in civilian structures as well as military buildings.
Another aspect to this question is whether anyone knows of dugouts using this construction technique for side or end walls. At least one of the dugouts excavated at Ft. Ellsworth appeared to have a front was formed by vertical posts set into a trench. We have not found reference to any other dugouts, military or civilian, which used vertical logs in wall construction (usually the walls were made of horizontal logs, stone, sod, or sawed boards placed either vertical or horizontal).
Has anyone encountered this type of vertical log construction in either ground level or dugout buildings? Any ideas on how, where, or with whom it developed? Any suggestions on historical sources, journal articles, or site reports to check?
Thanks in advance for your assistance with this question. You can respond off-list.
Marsha K. King
Special Projects Archeologist
Cultural Resource Division
Kansas State Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Ave
Topeka, KS 66614-1099
Phone: (785) 272-8681, ext. 253
Fax: (785) 272-8682#240#
Email: [log in to unmask]
Alternate email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www/KSHS.org
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