LOG HOUSE
New River vicinity, Giles County
Built probably early 19th century; demolished probably early 20th century
Photograph: Virginia Historical Society
From the late 17th century through the early 19th century log construction was commonly employed by southerners for
a variety of buildings types, because the technique was effective and wood was abundant. This log "dogtrot," a type so
named because two units are linked by an open passageway, was constructed of logs hewn on two sides and fitted together
at the corners by means of carved-out, "V" notches. The interstices between the logs were chinked and daubed, and the
chimneys were constructed of masonry, an indication that this building was intended to be permanent. The house was
surrounded by a series of Virginia, or worm fences. The unpeeled logs piled in the foreground are of the sort that would
be split into rails to maintain the fences. Hundreds of "dogtrots" and related log structures once dotted the landscape
of western Virginia.
Next: Kinloch
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