Thank you, I missed that in my first read.
Linda Derry <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
But Sean,
Cody said it sat on piers of Bois Arc, its not really be a "sill on grade"
foundation.
Linda Derry
Site Director
Old Cahawba
719 Tremont St.
Selma, AL 36701
ph. 334/875-2529
fax. 334/877-4253
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-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sean
Doyle
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2012 4:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Bois d'Arc Log Foundation
Hello;
I have seen and recorded many, many, many E20C homesteads (At one time I was
having a recurring nightmare I was stuck in a landscape composed of
undulating mounds of broken container glass...) and I have encountered a
similar type of foundation many times here in the Great Plains (utilizing
Cottonwood). In fact I would say its fairly common in some contexts. The
nomenclature would be a "sill-on-grade" foundation and it represents an
expedient, low cost solution in semi-arid areas. Up here they are typically
found on early twentieth century homestead structures, but more often with
ancillaries and "claim shacks" rather than the primary residence. Expediency
was key, as you had to show a "permament" improvement had been made to the
property and reside there for 5-7 years to secure your homestead, and with
prairie winds/storms tents do not represent a long term solution. There is
a bit of a different pattern of architectural development within individual
homesteads up here though, so it wouldn't be expected to commonly find one
on a 3 bedroom frame residence. We this foundation most commonly occur in
two temporal phases, the first homesteading booms which occured between 1880
- 1915, and the depression era "re-homesteading" of 1929 - 1935. In fact, we
had a 1932 homestead much like yours in southeast Colorado where they used
Ponderosa as the sill beams.
To the second question I wouldn't assume that the floor was not level while
in use. The wieght of a building and people in it makes the moisture in the
subsurface soil do funny things depending on the soil type. Most noticeably
it tends to push mositure out laterally causing a localized deflation, and
in some cases an inflation elsewhere throwing what was level out of level.
Also, it would not be entirely neccesary to have a level floor in an
ancillary building unless whatever is in it has the potential to spill or
roll away. In some instances it is desirable to have a slight slope to aid
in mositure transport (I don't think thats what's happening here, but it
does happen).
Thats the best I can manage on-list, but fi you want to send me some photos
I would be happy to take a look.
Sean Doyle
Historic Resources Specialist
SWCA Environmental Consultants
Denver, CO. 80021
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________________________________
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY on behalf of Cody Davis
Sent: Thu 8/2/2012 1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Bois d'Arc Log Foundation
We are currently conducting excavations at a farmstead site here in North
Texas around a structure constructed around 1870. The structure associated
with this farmstead, was an ell-shaped 3 room house. It utilized bois
d'archalf notched logs as the beams for the foundation, and each log was
held at the corners with a wood pin through the notches. the logs rest on
bois d'arcpiers, and it has a sandstone rock chimney, that was repaired in
the early 20th century with brick and eventually phased out for a gas stove.
Resting perpendicular to the logs, were joists that were nailed with
square-cut nails to the logs. Then tongue and grove floorboards were nailed
to the joists with square-cut nails. The structure itself was frame. As of
right now we are aware of a second structure that utilized a similar
foundation nearby, however they seem to be fairly unique. We were wondering
if anyone else has encountered this type of foundation before or maybe able
to look as some photos and provide insight.
We also had some general questions that pertain to this type foundation, we
were hoping some might have some insight on.
Would a frame house sitting on the above described foundation expected to
have a level foundation? This foundation drops 10 cm from the NE corner of
one room to the SE corner of the adjacent room. We have some ideas and
additional questions, and we would be happy to share some photos in a pdf,
off list with anyone who might have some insight into some of the questions
we have about the foundation. Thanks.
--
Cody S. Davis, RPA
Project Manager
AR Consultants, Inc.
805 Business Parkway
Richardson, TX 75081
214.368.0478 (office)
214.221.1519 (fax)
www.arc-digs.com
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