Johannes Erickson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Johannes Erickson House
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The Johannes Erickson House from the northeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 14020 195th Street, Scandia, Minnesota |
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| Area | Approximately 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | Johannes Erickson |
| Architectural style | Log-gambrel |
| MPS | Washington County MRA (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001078 |
| Designated | June 17, 1976 |
The Johannes Erickson House is a special old log cabin located in Scandia, Minnesota, USA. It was built way back in 1868. This house has a unique roof style called a gambrel roof, which was a common design in southern Sweden.
In 1974, the house was moved next to the Hay Lake School. Now, it's part of a small museum area run by the Washington County Historical Society. The Erickson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It's important because it shows how people built homes long ago and how Swedish immigrants settled in the area. It's a rare example of a building style brought to Minnesota by people from Dalsland and Småland in Sweden.
Contents
What the House Looks Like
The Johannes Erickson House is a small, two-story building. It measures about 28 feet long and 20 feet wide. The walls are made from strong, cut oak logs. These logs were later covered with wooden planks on the outside.
Inside the House
Inside, there are two rooms on each floor. The special gambrel roof design means the upstairs has tall ceilings. This is different from many log cabins, which often have a small, cramped loft space upstairs.
Original Features
When the house was first built, you had to use an outdoor staircase to get to the second floor. The house also had a small lean-to attached to the back. This was used as a summer kitchen, a place to cook during the warmer months.
The House's Journey Through Time
Johannes Erickson and his 13-year-old son, Alfred, built this house in 1868. It was their family home for many years.
New Uses for an Old Home
In 1904, Alfred Erickson, now an adult, built a new house for his family. The original log cabin then had many different uses over the years. It was used to store grain, as a garage for cars, and even as a fun playhouse for children.
Becoming a Museum Piece
By 1974, the owner, Vernon Jellum, no longer needed the old cabin. He was planning to tear it down or move it. Luckily, the Washington County Historical Society bought the building. They moved it about 1.5 miles to its current spot. Now, it's part of a museum complex. This museum is located near a monument built in 1900 to honor the first Swedish settlers in Minnesota.
See Also
