By Cindy Gladden,
Record Staff Writer
Remnants of decaying log buildings from two family farms were recently used to create a rustic cabin on the grounds of Luxenhaus Farm in Marthasville.The Trappers of Starved Rock, a local club that uses the grounds north of Marthasville to shoot historic firearms, painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt a new cabin with logs first erected in 1855.Glenn Ridder, his wife Yvonne, and sister Debbie Garbs were happy to donate the logs from the Schake property, now known as Falling Timber Farm. Also contributing logs from an adjoining farm was Mary Hulse and her son, Stephen Bollinger.According to Ridder, the original barn was built with the help from the slaves owned by neighbor Andrew Wyatt. When the Trappers dismantled the barn, they counted the growth rings, determining the trees were nearly 100 years old, making them saplings during the American Revolution.“The ax marks have been there over 125 years,” said Ridder.Hulse said the logs she contributed came from a smokehouse and washhouse. Ridder told her about the project and she was grateful to be able to salvage the logs from buildings that held such family history.“I didn’t want to just burn them,” she said. “My mom used to smoke ham in the smokehouse. I love the character of the wood, recycled and not destroyed.”Hulse said the large stone set at the new doorway was once located in front of the washhouse.Randy Stratton of the Trappers of Starved Rock said Bob Hostkoetter of Luxenhaus Farm was the ringleader of the project, teaching volunteers how to go about dismantling and repairing logs and erecting the new cabin.The 20-by 20-foot cabin is located on the Hostkoetters property and is used by the trappers during the year for their shooting matches and overnight gatherings. Boy Scouts also meet at the historic cabin.Stratton said more than 3,700 man-hours were spent working on the cabin. He said at $15 per hour, that calculates to more than $50,000 worth of labor.“Most everything was used,” said Hostkoetter. “We had to use a few new beams, but all the walls are originals.”Hostkoetter said the beams were fashioned of walnut, cherry, sycamore and oak.“They cleared the ground and used the trees that were in the way,” he added.First-time volunteer and member of the club Gary Wriede, said the entire process taught him a lot.“I learned a lot from these fellas,” he said. “There was a lot of dedication from a lot of people. I’m glad I was part of it.”To learn more about the Trappers of Starved Rock or to arrange a tour of the cabin, visit trappersofstarvedrock.com.The Trappers of Starved Rock recently completed the 20 x 20 log cabin on property owned by Bob and Lois Hostkoetter, known as Luxenhaus Farm or the site of Deutsch Country Days. The materials were donated by Glenn and Yvonne Ridder, Debbie Garbs, Mary Hulse and Stephen Bollinger. The cabin is used by the club for its activities and for educational purposes. Cindy Gladden Photo.
