Hints to Dating a Pre-1850 Building
Historical records...
a) land deeds
b) tax assessment records
c) church records
d) Sandborn fire maps
e) local atlas/old maps
f) census records
Types of Wood in Logs...
oak, white pine and hemlock—
yellow pine and chestnut (extinct today)
Size of Logs...
endemic logs had great diameter (10" to 18")
Surprise clues...
Example: 1837 newspaper found in chinking of this log house
Door Styles...
· Batten
· Raised Panel
Joining the Rafters...early methods...
· notch and peg
· ridgepoll (joined on common poll)
Types of Hardware...
Locks, hinges, latches, window hardware (shutter dogs), etc.
Molding...
Typical molding that framed interior and exterior doors and windows
Screws...
· 1700s to c.1840
· c.1840
· after 1840
Wrought Nail before c.1800...
Cut Nail after 1800...
Erected by Borough of Mifflinburg and Others.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.
Location. 40° 55.043′ N, 77° 2.781′ W. Marker is in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early Axes (here, next to this marker); Exterior Clues to Identify a Town Log House (here, next to this marker); Preparing the Logs (here, next to this marker); Pennsylvania-German Four-square Garden (here, next to this marker); Story of Little Log House (here, next to this marker); Typical Floor Plan of Continental Central Fireplace Log House (here, next to this marker); Franklin School (a few steps from this marker); War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mifflinburg.
Also see . . .
1. History uncovered as Little Log House unveiled (The Daily Item, 2018). (Submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Dating Historic Buildings. (Submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. How to Date Your Old House. (Submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Nail Chronology. (Submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
