Tom Farrens of Pocatello, Idaho contacted me about re-built (in progress) dugout house at the Historic Chesterfield Townsite in Chesterfield Idaho and shared a bit about them and a couple of photographs.
The Townsite, located along the Oregon Trail was settled in late 1800’s is now a historic site and is listed on the Register of Historic Places. The Chesterfield Foundation has been rebuilding / restoring some of the building. Most of which are log cabins and small framed house and out buildings. The brick house in the background is one of the early 1900 brick buildings, and though located within the Townsite, it is privately owned.
Photo Credit: Tom Farrens
That reminds me so much of a picture of my grandfather in a wagon in front of his sod home in Nebraska in the late 1800s. We’ve come a long ways since then, but fortunately are turning back in others.
With a site like that they would have had to haul logs and bricks both. Or maybe 100 years ago there were trees?
I wonder how quickly the people who live there left once they were given the opportunity and what they would say about our admiration of their home.