The Dogtrot log house is a relic of a life gone by in these old mountains. The Chestnut trees used to build it were abundant in this area until they began to die out from blight. The wood is incredibly bug resistant and very sturdy. A Dogtrot is two log houses with a breezeway in between that were all roofed over as one house. The breezeway was typically sided and had the front and rear doors of the home. This home has some apotropaic symbols which are said to keep out the evil spirits. The original ceiling in the bedrooms has been preserved as it was and a new roof adorns this old house.
The original owner was a free African American man named George Washington. He and his wife and children moved here from New York after the Civil War. He was a farmer /laborer according to U.S. Census records. The logs were cut here, and the stones used to build the chimneys and foundation were also found on the property. The mortar was made from sand, clay and creek water below the house. The floorboards, made of old growth poplar and yellow pine in the living room were originally upstairs in a bedroom lining the walls. The original chinking was removed and replaced with modern day insulation, lath, cement, and plaster. Of course, the entire process of restoration has been somewhat of an archeological dig in a sense. It is truly amazing what pops out of the ground when footers and patios are dug. The restoration was completed by a whole bunch of friends, neighbors, some independent contractors and the grace of God. It was a long haul. Nothing makes us more happy than to know Mr. and Mrs. Washington's amazing home lives again and will be enjoyed and appreciated by many friends old and new for a long time to come.
Relax and take in the sights, sounds and fresh air. As the "aka" implies(lower head, lift feet) the perfect imperfections of this handmade home from the earth make it all the more ideal.