Log homes in the Adirondack Area

Adirondack forests helped log homes develop

Story by Tats Kasama

A total of seven United States presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson and James Buchanan, were born in log cabins. According to the Encyclopedia of American History, this fact made log cabins a symbol of individualism, the pioneer spirit, and hard work.

According to America in So Many Words, written by David K. Barnhart and Allan A. Metcalf, the log cabin was first created in Sweden and brought to America by settlers who found their way into the Delaware Bay area. A 1663 ordinance in Maryland reads: "Be itt Enacted...that a Logg howse be built Twenty foot Square...for a Prison."

The development of log cabins, seen in timber-rich regions around the world, is said to have reached its peak of elaboration in the Adirondack region in the mid-18th century.

According to Chris Svenson, vice-president of The Log Home Specialist in Peru, New York, Adirondack-style log homes have a lot more log and twig work compared to those in other regions. The work often seen in Adirondack-style, such as the addition of log trusses to the roof, log railings, and butt-and-pass logs, make it look more decorative. While the Swedish Cope is the most popular nationwide, the most popular log in this region is the D-shape log. "Because the D-shape log makes flat [walls] inside, it's easier to hang pictures and cabinets," Svenson says.

"The market here is better than the other regions because we do have a lot of vacation spots. People want to build vacation homes."

Svenson says the log home business in the Adirondack region is more prosperous than other regions. "Right now, the residential home market in this area has taken a little bit of a fall, but fortunately for us, we not only cater to people who want to build year-round, but also people who are looking for vacation homes," he says. The Adirondacks have many popular lakes for vacationers such as Lake Champlain, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid. He says log homes have become very popular in the past eight years in this region. "We have seen our business triple," Svenson says. The popular price range of log homes he sells is between $95 and $115 a square foot. "We have all different age ranges [of customers], from folks who just got married to retirees who are looking to create something new for their retirement," he says.

"Once you cut a tree, it needs to be replanted."

The huge area of forests in the Adirondacks enabled people to build and develop log homes. The Adirondack Park, which includes 6.1 million acres of land, more than 3,000 lakes and 30,000 miles of streams and rivers, is the largest state park in the United States. The park came under the state constitutional protection in 1894 because people began to get concerned about the widespread logging. Though the Adirondack Park Agency controls the logging in the park area, there is still plenty enough to support the log home industry.

Timber-richness, however, does not mean that people can cut as many trees as they want without limitation. "These big pieces of property are supposed to be renewable," Svenson said. "Once you cut it down, it needs to be replanted."

As a log cabin symbolizes the pioneer spirit, some people want to build their log homes by themselves. Many companies, including the Log Home Specialist, sell the log home packages with a construction guide. If one wants to consult with experts or needs help building their log home, those companies can also send crews to help. The pioneer spirit still exists with people today.

Where would you want to build a log home?

Three major types of log walls

Handcrafted, Swedish Cope, and D-log walls make up most of the log homes in the United States, according to Gil Olsen of Mountain Valley Log Homes, Inc. The gap between logs is chinked with sealant and gasket.

Images courtesy of Lincoln Logs, LTC
Click the arrow to see other types.

This is the nail used to hold logs.

This special type of nail has a screw-like end. The design allows the log to expand and contract throughout the varying seasons and humidity.