The 20 Oldest Homes in the United States
4. Lower Swedish Cabin in Drexel Hill, PA
Built between the 1630s and the late 1650s, the Lower Swedish Cabin proves that although we may think the traditional log cabin was an American idea, this isn’t actually the case. Instead, it was introduced by immigrants from Sweden. Situated along Darby Creek, the home was constructed using nearby timber with notches cut in the end. Then, the logs were horizontally stacked, using clay to fill in any spaces that allowed air in. Initially, the windows were covered with boards because glass had to be imported from Europe. Today, the cabin, which remains largely unaltered with the exception of repairing damage caused by vandalism and neglect, is the property of the Upper Darby Township. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
