Dickson Log House
The Dickson Log House is a well-preserved example of a late 18th-century log dwelling. It represents a common structure on the frontier of Pennsylvania in the 1790s, and is one of only a few such buildings preserved in the area north of the Ohio River. The log house is 16 x 20 feet and dates to approximately 1796. A 16 x 13 foot stone addition was added, probably around 1820. In addition, the door at the rear of the house may have been cut out at a later date.
The house originally stood a short distance north of its present location, and the front faced the river. The log house was found and set to be demolished by a new owner in 1983. With the cooperation of the owner, the demolition was halted while local citizens organized the expertise, labor, and money needed to disassemble the log structure and then reassemble it on a small subdivision of land not useful to the new owner. Keeping the log house near the river affirms its purpose as a first shelter of new settlers in the wilderness. [1]
A keen eye may notice something different with the United States flag -- there are 15 stars and 15 stripes. In 1795, the number of stars and stripes was increased from 13 to 15 (to reflect the entry of Vermont and Kentucky as states of the Union). It was the 15-star, 15-stripe flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry". These words were written by Key and set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" by John Stafford Smith, a popular song at the time. It was not until 1931 that the song became the national anthem of the United States and known as "The Star-Spangled Banner".
This story can be found on the Avonworth Historical Society on Facebook. [2]
Credits:
[1] Avonworth Historical Society website at https://www.avonworth-history.org/log-house
[2} Avonworth Historical Society on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Avonworth-Historical-Society-1525205504416164