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Date: | Fri, 4 May 2001 09:13:06 -0500 |
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In my local history readings and research I have found that re-use of
"cabins" was pretty typical here in the Milwaukee (WIS) area. Many of our
earliest settlers (French-Canadian, remnant English and Early National
American) appeared between 1795 and 1830 with follow-up "Yankee/speculator"
settlement happening between 1833 and 1845. Many Yankee settlers bought,
rented or simply assumed use of old cabins about the town site. Most of
these were of tamarack log construction with bark roofs. As these settlers
created the town infrastructure and frame buildings were built (also used as
status symbols), the old cabins fell in as temporary housing for other
immigrants (incoming family members of the initial Yankees, early Polish and
German immigrants and "half-breed" family members of the old French-Canadian
settlers). As well, the old cabins were used as jails, and as pesthouses
during times of disease. It seems though, that by the mid 1850s, most cabins
were in disuse-use and were much dilapidated. The general populace of
Milwaukee was, by then, living in frame houses and new brick buildings.
I hope this brief description of the Milwaukee frontier will be helpful.
Best Regards,
Al Muchka
Al Muchka, Associate Curator
American & Local History
Milwaukee Public Museum
History Section
800 W. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 2768-2785
Email [log in to unmask]
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