Ohio's Finest Log House? The Historic Ross Log House, Symmes Township

www.HistoryInYourOwnBackyard.com
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812-623-5727
This 2-story log home was originally located at the corner of Rich Road and Mulberry Street. The Symmes Township Historical Society believes Jane and John Ross, Jr. built the log house about 1836. In the 1830's there were no "building permits" issued so it's hard to know for certain. But when the Ross' purchased the 137-acre tract they had 7 children. This house is 20' x 24' and is a full 2-story log house. The size of the house would have accommodated the family and the Society's research to date points to this family as builders of the log structure.
The original log home had an interior chimney. This is somewhat unusual but a feature that would have kept the house warmer in the winter months. The beams are hand hewn and many of the logs still have bark on them. The floorboards are not original to the house, but are from trees that were over 100 years old. They were transported to Camp Dennison and a portable saw mill was used to create the existing boards. An unusual feature of the house is the front door, which is no higher than six (6) feet. Why such a short main entrance to the house - were people really shorter 180 years ago?
GPS Location: 39º16'56.7"N 84º17'14.2"W

[@T-41]

A treasure for the Symmes Twp. community . It appears to be a very high quality restoration. Thanks for telling the interesting story of this home. This one adds to the nice collection of other log structures in the state which have been “discovered “ in the process of demolition for redevelopment of the property.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Thanks for the comments!

[@tammyjantzen9004]

What a beauty! Thanks for preserving such a treasure!

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Glad you liked it.

[@bethgiesey9405]

What a beautiful home. History is my favorite past time. Thank you for sharing this unique log cabin

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@royosborne6188]

It is so important for people to have the insight to preserve the past for the future generations to see how much toiling was involved in creating this Great Nation. Thank everyone involved for a supurb outcome on a piece of American History.

[@APR4U]

It is so very important to preserve the past so we appreciate today 🤗

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Exactly.

[@jeffs5093]

Another great video. It is great this amazing cabin was saved and preserved.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

It's a beautiful log house!

[@musclecarmitch908]

Beautiful cabin! Awesome history! Glad it was saved and so perfectly restored! Luckily it fell into good hands! Thanks for sharing!👍

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

It is a treasure!

[@stangsaleens7]

Amazing attention to detail using only locally sourced wood to replace the floor!

[@VernonWallace]

Great video. Love the local history. Thank you.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome.

[@sarasynfox]

Aside from the myth of people being shorter back then, this was great! I'll have to make this a stop on my travels at some point! For the people being shorter, average height was only 1-2" shorter than today, dependent on the year, and that's between now and the 17th century. It hasn't changed much. Low ceilings and doorways were often a function of heat conservation. Smaller doorways means less heat escapes, and with heat rising, it helps keep all of that trapped in. I found out just this summer that there are records of men recording in their journals that they hit their head on the low doorway, so it seems like it was just as much of a problem then as modern people visiting these houses today! I was surprised, but I guess when it's such a commonly accepted myth, it's a lot harder for this information to get traction.

[@deanross4090]

Has anyone in your area done a thorough genealogy on this Ross family?

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I haven't but you might want to check with the local historical society.

[@AeroGuy07]

Was this place for sale about 25 years ago?

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I don' t know but it could have been. Does it look familiar?

[@carolunderwood477]

What is the address of the house? Can we stop by and look around?

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

It doesn't have an address but here's the GPS Location: 39º16'56.7"N 84º17'14.2"W

[@joeanderson9852]

❤❤

[@aaronschulte3207]

❤

[@bananabob2185]

Thank you for sharing this awesome space! 🪵🪵🪵 🪓 My grandsons will love exploring it in the spring!

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Great!