The Historic Pap Madison Cabin
Original Construction
The Madison cabin was built in 1876 with logs from the abundant groves of cottonwoods along Rapid Creek. After the trees were felled and trimmed, the logs were squared on the ground (typically with a broadaxe) before being lifted into place. For waterproofing and insulation, gaps between the logs were chinked with sticks, moss, grass, and wood chips and then sealed with mud. If the timber is available, a cabin like this can be built with hand tools in several days.
At 15 feet square, the cabin provided Pap Madison only 225 square feet of living space. It originally had a dirt floor and was heated with a wood-burning cook stove, which was more portable and efficient than a fireplace.
1927 Restoration
When the cabin was moved to Halley Park, restorers installed a new shake roof, replaced deteriorating logs, put in a wood floor, and added the fireplace, which masons built from limestone quarried from nearby Lime Creek.
Today
After its move to The Journey Museum in 2012, the cabin was repaired with new chinking, stain, and a new hearth. It was also refitted with electric lighting and transparent panels to allow visitors to view the interior. Although The Journey has none of pap Madison's personal belongings, the cabin is furnished with objects
this page online
Photo captions:
Photos of Madison Cabin with 1928 caretaker "Mammie" McGee
Painting of the Pap Madison Cabin by Della Vik
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 44° 5.211′ N, 103° 13.14′ W. Marker is in Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker is on North 3rd Street north of Philadelphia Street, on the right when traveling north. Located at the Journey Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 New York St, Rapid City SD 57701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Journey of The Pap Madison Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Black Hills Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Berlin Wall Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Berlin Wall Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Celebrating Victory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tank Traps (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confrontation (approx. 0.4 miles away); A City Divided (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapid City.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
