I'm a long time lurker on these forums and have dreamed for years of having our own place in the country. Well....We just bought 37 acres in the NW hills of the Arkansas Ozarks.
On the 37 acres, is a log cabin that was originally built in 1888 and later expanded. The original logs remain as part of the structure. There are several out buildings (Barn, workshop, garden shed, root cellar, and pump house).
There are two wells on the property. One is the original hand dug well that sits behind the cabin covered by a quasi shed attached to the cabin. The well is rock lined and is still usable. Water is about 8ft down, can't tell yet how deep it is. The second well is a 120ft deep modern electric well that provides the cabin with water.
There is a large garden next to the cabin that is surrounded in it's entirety by an 8ft tall deer fence.
There is an old plum tree orchard next to the garden plot.
There are three year round springs on the property that produce at a slow steady pace. They are a little more than a trickle, but less than a tap would put out. The three springs feed into a pond which is stocked with bass, catfish and bream.
A few acres is cleared with the balance of the property covered in hardwoods and cedar with some short leaf pine mixed in.
There is abundant wildlife (LOTS of deer, squirrel, rabbit, bear and bobcat.) The woods around the pond shows sign of beaver presence.
We have the history of the property and the cabin going all the way back to the 1880's when it was built. The family lived on the property until the 1960's. 10 kids were raised in the cabin.
The cabin has water, electricity and phone, but it does not have plumbing. One of our first goals will be to put in a septic system and bathroom. There is a room in the add on that was used as a bathroom by the more recent occupants (Currently houses a Coleman camping toilet).
Everywhere you look, there are about 50 things that need to be done. Our goal is to rehabilitate the cabin, modernizing it somewhat while leaving it as organic as possible. We want to maintain and add to the heritage.
I've never in my life attempted something this ambitious, my parents think I've lost my mind.
I hope you all enjoy a good tale, because I'm going to be living one.
Cabin as you see it driving up
Cabin size shot
Front Porch
What most of the property looks like
Pond
Main room of the 1888 log cabin
Kitchen
View from the front porch
Kitchen
Outside looking towards the cabin
94Likes
