Log Cabin in Saluda, NC, 1790: Historic Architecture

Frances Benjamin Johnston captured this vintage photograph of a log cabin in Saluda, Polk County, North Carolina, a structure that dates back to 1790. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which aimed to document significant architectural examples across the Southern United States. Log cabins were essential in early American settlement, showcasing the resourcefulness and craftsmanship of the time.

The cabin exemplifies the vernacular architecture that characterized the region, emphasizing simplicity and functionality. Johnstons work has been recognized for its historical value, contributing to the understanding of architectural styles in North Carolina during the 18th and 19th centuries.

This photograph was referenced in Thomas Tileston Watermans book, The Early Architecture of North Carolina, published in 1941. It serves as a valuable resource for historians and enthusiasts of early American architecture, highlighting the cultural heritage of Polk County and the surrounding areas.