C. A. Nothnagle Log House facts for kids
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Nothnagle, C. A., Log House
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 Location in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Swedesboro-Paulsboro Road, Gibbstown, New Jersey |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1685 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001153 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1976 |
The C. A. Nothnagle Log House is a super old house in Gibbstown, New Jersey. It's also called the Braman-Nothnagle Log House. This amazing building is one of the oldest log houses still standing in the United States! It gives us a peek into what life was like many centuries ago.
Contents
How Old Is This House?
The oldest part of the Nothnagle Log House was built a very long time ago. It was constructed between 1638 and 1643. This was by settlers from Finland or Sweden. They were part of a colony called New Sweden.
Old Tools and Fireplace
Around the fireplace, you can still see old iron tools. These tools are from the 1590s! The fireplace itself is special. It's built in a corner of the cabin. The bricks for it might have been brought over on ships. They were used as heavy "ballast" to keep the ships steady.
Building the Original Cabin
The first part of the house was 16 feet by 22 feet. This was quite large for its time. Most homes back then were only 12 by 12 feet. This suggests the builders were doing pretty well!
Smart Construction
The house was built using strong oak logs. Two of these logs could be removed. This helped to let air in and keep the house cool in summer. The logs were fitted together very tightly. This was done using a special "double dovetail joint" method. Small stones and gravel were packed between the logs. This made the walls strong and kept out drafts.
No Nails Needed
Guess what? No nails were used in the original building! Instead, the builders used hard wooden pegs. These pegs held everything together. The roof also didn't have a main support beam. People lived in this original part of the house until 1918.
Later Changes and Today
A big new section was added to the cabin in the early 1700s. Around 1730, a wooden floor was put in. Before that, the floor was just dirt!
A Historic Landmark
The Nothnagle Log House is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's recognized as a special historic site. It's still owned by a private family today. You can even visit it by making an appointment! The current owner, Doris Rink, lives in the house next door.
