Ben Avon in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Dickson Log House

Dickson Log House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

1. Dickson Log House Marker

Inscription. The Dickson Log House is a well-preserved example of a late 18th-century log dwelling. It represents a common structure on the frontier of Pennsylvania in the 1790s, and is one of only a few such buildings preserved in the area north of the Ohio River. The log house is 16 x 20 feet and dates to approximately 1796. A 16 x 13 foot stone addition was added, probably around 1820. In addition, the door at the rear of the house may have been cut out at a later date.

The house originally stood a short distance north of its present location, and the front faced the river. The log house was found and set to be demolished by a new owner in 1983. With the cooperation of the owner, the demolition was halted while local citizens organized the expertise, labor, and money needed to disassemble the log structure and then reassemble it on a small subdivision of land not useful to the new owner. Keeping the log house near the river affirms its purpose as a first shelter of new settlers in the wilderness.

Erected by Ben Avon Area Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.

Location. 40° 30.331′ N, 80° 5.272′ W. Marker is in

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Ben Avon, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Western Avenue and Forest Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15202, 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. A different marker also named Dickson Log House (here, next to this marker); Kenny Memorial Field Flagpole (approx. ¼ mile away); Lance Corporal Patrick B. Kenny (approx. ¼ mile away); Greenstone United Methodist Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Davis Island Lock and Dam (approx. 1½ miles away); Dixmont State Hospital Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Michael A. Musmanno (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mount Assisi (approx. 2 miles away).

The Dickson Log House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

2. The Dickson Log House Marker

Dickson Log House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 27, 2012

3. Dickson Log House

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 22, 2019, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 27, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.