Where is the only remaining sod house in Oklahoma?

At one time, thousands of sod houses dotted the plains of North America. This two-room soddy, built by Marshal McCully in 1894, is the only remaining sod house Oklahoma that was built by a homesteader….Hours.

Adults	$7
Group Rate (10+)	$5/person
OHS Members, Children (under 6), Veterans and Active Military (with ID)	Free

Who built the first sod house?

Isadore Haumont built his house 1884 or ’85, at the same time that others were building lean-tos. As far as we know it was the only two-story sod house built in Nebraska.

What is a Soddie?

Sod houses, or “soddies,” were a common style of dwelling built in the Prairies during the second half of the 19th century. Sod houses, or “soddies,” were a common style of dwelling built in the Prairies during the second half of the 19th century.

Why did homesteaders use sod?

Most farmers cut sod from the area where they planned to build their house. Doing so provided a flat surface on which to build and helped protect the house from prairie fires. Removing the grass from the area also helped keep insects, snakes, and vermin from burrowing into the house.

Who lives in sod houses?

Before the 1860s, most of the people living on the Great Plains were Native Americans. In 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act, allowing men or women who were 21 years old or older to “stake a claim” to 160 acres of land.

What did sod houses replace?

Sod houses were improved or replaced with new dwellings around the turn of the century: Carrying building supplies such as timber, railroad lines reached into previously remote regions of the former frontier by 1900.

Why did homesteaders build sod houses?

One of the requirements for fulfilling the claim for free land was to build a home to live in within six months. The lack of natural resources of wood and stone forced the Homesteaders to live in makeshift accommodation, called sod houses (soddies), using turf, or sod, to build their houses.

What were the disadvantages of living in a sod house?

Wet roofs took days to dry out, and the enormous weight of the wet earth caused many roofs to collapse. Even in the very best weather, sod houses were plagued with problems. When the sod roof became extremely dry, dirt and grass fell like rain inside the house.

Why did homesteaders build their first home out of sod?

The land was practically treeless and there were few rocks and stones. The lack of natural resources of wood and stone forced the Homesteaders to live in makeshift accommodation, called sod houses (soddies), using turf, or sod, to build their houses. The sod house became symbolic of the pioneering spirit of Americans.

How long do sod houses last?

Settler families tended to live in their sod houses six or seven years. If the exterior was covered over with whitewash or stucco, the houses could last much longer. But sod construction had it’s limits.

What were the advantages and disadvantages of living in a sod house?

Sod was a natural insulator, keeping out cold in winter, and heat in summer, while wood houses, which usually had no insulation, were just the opposite: always too hot or too cold. Another advantage of a soddy was that it offered protection from fire, wind, and tornadoes. But a soddy also had drawbacks.

What was the disadvantage of building a home from sod?

Is there a sod house museum in Oklahoma?

Sod House Museum seeks to preserve Oklahoma’s only remaining sod house and interprets the early-day lifestyles of a pioneer, from the establishment of the Cherokee Outlet in 1893 to 1920. The museum encloses the original sod house which is the key exhibit.

When did the Oklahoma Historical Society buy the Soddy house?

On December 31, 1963, exactly sixty years after McCully received his patent, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the sod house. Although the soddy remains in its original location, a cover now protects it from the elements.

What can you do at the Soddy house museum?

Visitors can enjoy the experience of walking through the “soddy” and explore exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and a root cellar. The artifacts and exhibits portray the daily activities of the pioneers. Museum grounds include an additional building displaying horse-drawn equipment and period farm implements.

When did the McCully family leave the sod house?

The McCully family lived in the sod house from 1894 until 1909 when they built a large two-story frame house. They continued to use the soddy for storage until 1963. On December 31, 1963, exactly sixty years after McCully received his patent, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the sod house.