Rochester in Olmsted County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The William Dee Log Cabin

A Labor of Love

July 30, 2021

1. The William Dee Log Cabin Marker

Inscription. This humble little cabin was constructed in the summer of 1862 by Irish immigrant William Dee and a group of neighbors. The cabin was built on lot six of block four of the Head and McMahon's Addition, now West 6th Street. William's wife, Bridget, was expecting their first child. The day the cabin was started, their son, David, was born. Three more children were born to William and Bridget in the cabin before they sold it and moved into larger accommodations. Construction experts believe that neither William, nor the men who helped build it, were very familiar with good construction techniques. Instead of dovetail joints, this cabin was built with flat lap joints. This did, however, make the cabin easy to repair and reconstruct over the years.

The cabin changed hands several times. In 1900 Andrew Seeverts purchased the house and rented it out. The last tenant to make a home here was Mrs. Anna Benson Ward with her four children. Mrs. Ward, an immigrant from Sweden, lived in the home from 1907-1911, paying $3.00 per month rent. To help make money for her family. Mrs. Ward made donuts each week for sale. In 1911, threatened

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with destruction of the structure, the Rochester Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) spearheaded a campaign to save the cabin. Mr. Seeverts donated the house to be placed in the newly constructed Mayo Park in honor of W.W. Mayo who came to Rochester in 1862. It sat next to the black bear exhibit.

At Mayo Park, the Dee cabin eventually fell back into disrepair. For a time it was used as a storage shed for park equipment. In 1961 the cabin was given to the Olmsted County Historical Society and moved to their downtown location near Mayo Clinic. When the Historical Society moved to its present site in 1972, the little cabin came along. It was moved to its sixth, and current location and totally reconstructed in 1986. Through the years the Rochester Chapter of the DAR has cared for the structure, donated money for restoration projects, cleaned, and refurnished it. It has been a labor of love. Thousands of school children and visitors come to the cabin each year to learn about early settlement and self-sufficient lifestyle of those who lived before electricity, cars, and computers.

Topics. This historical marker

July 30, 2021

2. The William Dee Log Cabin & Marker

is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 44° 0.336′ N, 92° 30.646′ W. Marker is in Rochester, Minnesota, in Olmsted County. It can be reached from West Circle Drive (County Road 22 SW) 1.8 miles east of U.S. 52, on the right when traveling south. Located on the property of the History Center of Olmsted County, SW of the main building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1195 W Circle Dr SW, Rochester MN 55902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Olmsted County Historical Society / Our Pioneer Heritage (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Rural School (about

Postcard of the cabin from the marker. image. Click for full size.

July 30, 2021

3. Postcard of the cabin from the marker.

500 feet away); Mayowood (approx. 1.2 miles away); Saint Marys Hospital (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mayo Clinic Site (approx. 1.9 miles away); Dr. William J. Mayo House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Donald Church Balfour House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Roosevelt Honors Mayos (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

The William Dee Log Cabin, next to a black bear exhibit image. Click for full size.

July 30, 2021

4. The William Dee Log Cabin, next to a black bear exhibit

Postcard of the cabin from the marker.

The William Dee Log Cabin image. Click for full size.

July 30, 2021

5. The William Dee Log Cabin

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 6, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.