Historic Log Cabins Located in Kettle Moraine State Forest

What is so great about taking your children to visit historical log cabin sites? It gives you a chance to teach them exactly what all they do have compared to what all they think they do not have! When teaching your children about the simpler times of life it is one thing for you just to talk to them or show them pictures, but the ability for them to touch and see it for their own eyes is priceless!

Recently we did just that, visited some historical log cabins in what is known as the Kettle Moraine State Forest area. We visited three log cabins all in different locations, each sitting solely in the grace and memories. At each cabin, the boys and I would discuss what it would be like to live back in those days. What type of chores the children might have had and what they did for fun. We walked the trails that are nicely done at each of the locations as well. Each of the sites we visited had plaques that give a little history of the cabin and the people who lived in them.

The first Cabin we visited was the Emerson Cabin. It is located on Young Rd, west of HWY H just south of Palmyra, Wisconsin. A Norwegian Immigrant, Barne Emerson back in 1847, built the Emerson Cabin. The craftsmanship used in the construction is amazing, especially since they had to build these cabins tight enough to protect them from Wisconsin's harsh winters and did so by hand. Barne, his wife and 4 boys lived in this cabin and it remained in their family for 100 years.

The next cabin we visited was the Olson Cabin. The Olson Cabin is located on Duffin Road, north of U.S. Highway 12 east of Whitewater Wisconsin. Built by another Norwegian Immigrant named Ole Oleson, this two-story log cabin was built in 1846 out of tamarack logs and a few oak logs. Eventually through nine children were borne to the Oleson family and they all resided in this cabin. On a part time basis, we have four children in our home, otherwise always two. When I talked to the my boys about the comparison of what it would be like to live with nine children compared to four, we all agreed nine would be way too many kids to have! The boys were full of questions in regards to where everyone slept, my youngest exclaiming that he would never sleep with his brother because he stinks, so the thought of having to sleep with another sibling was more then he could take!

Adjacent to the Oleson Cabin is a logging sled on display. Although its construction is very basic, it was built for durability to make the transportation of timber to building site easier. With it remaining in good condition after all of these years just goes to show that new is not always best! The sled was found abandoned about five miles north of the Oleson Cabin and was believed to been used in the 1900's. At the Oleson Cabin site there are also various trails for hiking that are well marked and wide. Bring your bug spray though; the mosquitoes can get heavy at times.

The last cabin we visited was the Gotten Cabin, which was built in the 1850's by a Prussian immigrant named Henry Gotten. The Gotten Cabin is located off County Highway N just north of State Highway 59. This cabin was built out of white oak, which gives it a unique look compared to the others. Henry farmed and lived in this home with his wife and two children. It remained in their family until the death of both Henry and his wife. Fresh water springs are abundant around this cabin site and the creeks are as clear as bottled water. You can see the trout swimming. There are also trails for hiking and a nearby trout preserve where you can pay to fish.

The nice thing about this excursion was that it is free to visit, admire, and respect the lifestyle of the earlier days. We did this excursion on two separate days because some of the trails are quite long and since they were all fairly close to home for us made it possible for us to enjoy them in their entirety. If your intentions are hitting the trails, plan to wear some good hiking shoes for comfort and pack some food. There are picnic tables at a couple of the sites but I did not see grills. Make sure you pick up after yourself; there are no trash collection containers at these sites.