The desire to own a piece of history in the form of an original log cabin gave birth to a project Gary and Glenda Buxton never thought would involve Gary’s own family history. Fans of the popular series, Barnwood Builders, the couple was inspired to find and build a cabin of their own.

They began their search for an original log cabin but couldn’t seem to find the right opportunity until friend and Warren County historian Alvin Brandt coincidentally asked the Buxtons if they were interested in preserving a pre-Civil War log cabin. Brandt knew of an original Dothage family cabin on Smith Creek Road. The owner was interested in finding an organization or direct descendant who would reconstruct the cabin.

Coincidentally, Gary is a seventh-generation Dothage.

“It was a challenge I accepted,” said Gary. “The Buxton family was in logging in the past. I’m fascinated with wood and hand hewing. I always wanted a cabin and this was my chance.”

In 2016, the project began. After hundreds of hours disassembling, moving and reconstructing the two-room, story and a half Dothage cabin, Gary could not be more satisfied with the finished product.

“I kind of want to sit here and remember,” said Buxton after nearly completing the project. “There were birthdays and Christmas gatherings here. Life happened here and death. This is my lifeline to my family. I wish I could turn on a switch and see it happening.”

The known family history behind the Smith Creek homestead dates back to 1799 when Ernst Fredrich Dothage, born in Prussia, decided to immigrate to America. In the summer of 1849, Ernst Dothage and his family left Prussia for their 10-week journey to America. They survived the rough seas on an aging vessel and docked in New Orleans.

The Dothage family made their way by boat up the Mississippi River where family members met them in St. Louis to escort them to where they had settled near Hopewell and Holstein. Dothage homesteaded land at Smith Creek, spent the first winter in a temporary dwelling, then built the 18- by 36-foot log cabin. Dothage died in 1859, but the family continued to live there for many generations.

The Buxtons decided to rebuild the cabin on the Buxton family farm, north of Warrenton. The only boy, Gary moved to the farm when he was nine-years-old and inherited part of the property. The farm now serves as a hub for family gatherings, including a place for their five grandchildren to learn about country living.

The sturdy crown notched white oak logs survived over the years. Original chinking was made of mud, straw and horsehair. Walls were whitewashed and had been covered by plaster and lathe. Gary accounted for each log as he disassembled the cabin, creating intricate drawings of where each log was originally placed. He used tin markers as a guide to fit each log back into the puzzle.

Glenda recounts the many weekends they put aside other things to work on the cabin.

“We even worked on Super Bowl Sunday,” she said. “The project started as a wish, a thought, or maybe a vision. Or perhaps it became an obsession.”

Logs were sanded and restored to their original state. Original hashmarks from the homesteader’s axes are clearly seen. The caulking between the logs looks fresh. Reclaimed lumber milled by the Amish was used for new trim work. Windows from the Buxton’s former home were installed in the cabin. A woodstove dominates the living area, providing the only heat the building needs. A wrap-around porch has been added to the original design, ready for lots of weekend gatherings.

“Now we just gather the grandkids and go fish,” said Gary. “We will hold family gatherings here and just enjoy spending time at the cabin.”