Ontario in Wayne County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Log Cabin
Circa 1860
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 1, 2021
1. Log Cabin Marker
James Ruffell built this log cabin during the Civil War, on a 104 acre farm on Ore Bed Road, (now Kenyon Road). This cabin was the second one built by the Ruffell family. It replaced an earlier one that was inconveniently located farther back in the woods. In 1950, the log cabin caught fire in the "ore bed section of Ontario Township." Families in the 1800s would rise when the sun came up and retire to bed when the sun went down. The single tallow candle on the table is reminiscent of lighting in the early days. The front door of the log house has a latch string that could be pulled in for security or left out for hospitality. Any passerby in need of shelter in these early days could pull the latch string, enter and enjoy the warmth and available food even in the absence of the owner. Thus the expression we use today, "the latch string is out."
The final owner of this log cabin was Michael Robusto. He donated it to the Ontario Historical Society in 1970, requesting it be removed from the site. A project to remove the cabin to Heritage Corners was begun on July 8, 1970.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 43° 15.376′ N, 77° 18.341′ W. Marker is in Ontario, New York, in Wayne County. Marker is on Ontario Center Road, ¼ mile south of Brick Church Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is roadside on the grounds of the Heritage Square Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7147 Ontario Center Road, Ontario NY 14519, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Baptist Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Crombe Exhibit Barn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town of Ontario Timeline (about 400 feet away); Warner House (about 400 feet away); Apple Dry House (about 500 feet away); "Hojack" Train Station (about 500 feet away); Heritage Corners (about 600 feet away); Davis Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ontario.
Also see . . .
1. Heritage Square Museum. (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Brick Church Corners - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on October 25, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 1, 2021
2. Log Cabin & Marker
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, May 1, 2021
3. Log Cabin & Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.
