Prairie log house story marks Buena Vista history milestone
The Buena Vista County Historical Society formed in fall 1960 as a nonprofit and began restoring a remnant log house near Rembrandt. Built by Halvor Ellerton Dahl, it rode through county efforts to Storm Lake Sunrise Park where tours run Sundays in summer. The house reflects Scandinavian log construction with squared oak logs and dove tail joints. Ownership shifted from the Dahl family to Ole H. Dahl, then to Ossie G. Anderson, who donated it to the society in 1962.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Buena Vista
Storm Lake
Sunrise Park
The
Society
Franklin Halverson
County Historical Society
Dahl
Ole H. Dahl
Ossie G. Anderson
Buena Vista Historical Society
How to Build a Soddy
A historical note describes sod house construction by pioneers. It covers sod selection, brick dimensions, roof support, and the use of oxen to cut sod. Dwellings were roughly 14 by 7 feet with dirt floors, two openings, and simple coverings. It notes navigation issues, later access to lumber, and the memory of sod homes despite brief prominence.
Pioneer Life in Elk Township Iowa a Hard Homesteading Story
A first person reminiscence traces family migration from Virginia to Iowa in 1869. They describe homesteading in Elk Township section 28, building a sod house, breaking blue stem prairie, fuel and water hardships, and early schooling. The narrator taught at fifteen, earned 27 dollars monthly, and sold eggs and butter as markets opened.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Kentucky
Ohio
Illinois
Congress
Iowa
Elk Township
Ilinois
Fort Dodge
Carroll
Sioux Rapids
Storm Lake
Sioux Rapids Man Ole Johnson Lived to 105
Ole Johnson of Sioux Rapids died at 105 after a long life marked by active farming, rare doctor visits, and strong ties to Norway. Born in Norway, he moved to the United States at 49 and kept busy with two Clay County farms, a pipe tobacco habit for 55 years, and reading headlines until eyesight failed. He cherished Christmas and his birthday, often planning celebrations days to a week ahead.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pilot-Tribune
Ole Johnson
Sioux Rapids
Johnson
Clay County
Mr. Johnson
Norway
Also Mentioned on This Page
Buena Vista County Historical Society
Prairie
Halvor Ellerton Dahl
Barnes Township
Rembrandt
United States
Little Sioux
Soddy
Joys & Sorrows
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!