Ericsson House

Ericsson House. . This log, two-story, cedar log structure was built in 1868 or 1869 by Mr. E.E. Ericsson. Each log is shaped and interlocked with the next with a minimal use of square nails. , Mr. Ericsson was born in Varmland, Sweden on July 1st, 1835. He arrived in Nebraska in 1867. While looking for a good homestead location, he cut ties for the railroad. , He and his family lived in a dug-out in the bank of the Platte River before building this log house. , He took advantage of the Homestead Act and filed for the first homestead in Lincoln County in 1869. The first building sat on the grounds of Fort McPherson. Due to personal differences between Ericsson and the commanding officer, the structure was dismantled log-by-log, each log being numbered, and rebuilt on his homestead. , Reconstruction at the new location was slow because the windows, which were to be shipped from Chicago, were delayed due to the Great Chicago Fire. , Travelers along the Oregon Trail would stop to get water at Ericsson's homestead well. Only four families ever lived in this house which has four upstairs bedrooms and two larger rooms downstairs. , Donor Name: Duane and Ruth Rayburn , Donor Number 1998-32