Over the years I've excavated about 16 log cabin ruins throughout the
interior of Alaska.  I have also been involved with the rehabilitation of
the foundations of three more log cabins. I am also aware of the details of
the excavations of a handful more log cabins by other people, here. These
are all cabins out on relatively isolated creeks, or in small towns near or
on gold-bearing creeks.

In every instance have these cabins been built directly on top of the
ground surface; no stone, fabricated or otherwise, has ever been noted
under the sill logs. In every instance have remaining floorboards been
nailed into underlying spaced-out floor joists, which were placed directly
upon the ground surface.

I don't have experience with foundations of log cabins in larger Alaskan
town settings; perhaps their foundations are different.


Robin O. Mills
Archaeologist - Eastern Interior Field Office
BLM-Fairbanks District Office
1150 University Ave.
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-474-2359
907-474-2282 (fax)
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