Cabin 1: Mike Kelley
We don’t always know the impact we might have on the life of a child, but what an impact it was when little Mike Kelley first visited Brown County with his parents. A family friend owned a cabin near Helmsburg, and invited the Kelleys for a day in the woods. It didn’t take eight-year old Mike long to decide that one of his grown-up goals would be to own a log cabin here…and now he’s livin’ the dream. After camping here many weekends for seven years, Kelley contracted local cabin builder, Mike Nickels, to build “Stone Feather,” a massive hand-hewn log cabin set amidst 184 acres of majestic beauty. Enjoy the distant view of the State Park through Mike’s Weedpatch Window, as well as other idyllic scenes all around. White pine floors, a huge dry-laid stone fireplace, and comfy furniture are an invitation to sit and chat awhile in the living room. The adjoining kitchen features a gorgeous red Viking gas range and wormy maple cabinetry, and is the place where Mike channels his inner Emeril, as he whips up a feast for guests. A self-described nature buff, Mike particularly enjoys his lower level “Nature Room” and continually adds to his bountiful collection of found objects from hikes throughout his wooded property. There’s always something interesting to do here… and we hope you will take advantage by meandering down to the outdoor shower; soaking up some sun on the deck or porch; or, weather permitting today…walk the wooded path to Mike’s 18-ft. diameter teepee, a spiritual place Mike has decorated with various Native American items for this special occasion. Who knows, maybe your Brown County visit will leave a lasting impression on you, just as it did on Mike many years ago. Shuttle parking will be at Christianburg United Methodist. Feel free to use their restroom facilities, shop at their bake sale (done just for us!), and explore this historic building. On Sunday, we will park along the road near the church until their parking lot clears. |
Cabin 2: Patrick & Linda Neilander
Recycle, reduce, re-use. This cabin is all that…in spades. Home to Patrick and Linda Neilander for the past four years, their quaint little cabin is full of interesting artifacts, and nearly every item has a back story. Where to begin? Former owner/builder, Bob Birdsong, (see Cabin 3) reconstructed the hand-hewn oak logs on this site approximately 15 years ago from its previous location on Brown Hill Road, here in Brown County. The use of many different materials lends a unique character to the Neilander home. Recycled corrugated tin roofing from a local farmer’s barn, and kitchen and bathroom counters made from the former local bowling alley lanes are just a couple examples of giving new life to old things. Linda’s collections of china cups and teapots, old canning jars, aluminum serving pieces, ducks, and dried flowers blend well with the ornate pressed tin ceiling and walls in her kitchen. The tin panels are from a factory in Missouri, which still uses the same presses they had during Civil War days. Rich reds and golds are used throughout the cabin’s three levels, and their preference for antiques and Oriental influences are visible in the living room and the master bedroom. Be sure you take note of the cutest little claw-foot bathtub and the grandkids’ photos in the main floor bathroom! Patrick’s grandma, now nearing her 100th birthday, passed on her custom-made grandfather clock, her red smoking stand, and the pretty school desk…and all look right at home here. Linda has used dry-transfers to decorate areas in a couple of the bathrooms, and has stamped pretty leaf patterns on lower level walls. A spiral staircase leads downstairs where a second kitchen is the scene of a typical country breakfast for Patrick and Linda. Looking out on gardens, re-purposed picket fences, and pretty poultry of various types makes for a perfect start to their day. |
Cabin 3: Bob & Robin Birdsong
Off the beaten path, off the grid, and just a little bit off the wall might describe the home of Bob and Robin Birdsong. Beginning life as a storage shed for “Bob the Builder” and his many projects, the Birdsongs found it fun to trek back to this quiet spot and sleep in the little structure. But because this creative and clever couple simply enjoys the process of building, they decided to make it bigger and turn it into their main residence. The decision to “downsize” from the 1800-square foot cabin that the Nielanders now occupy (see Cabin 2) came four years ago. Their current home is a whopping 800 square feet, and they admit that even this is more space than they really need. Determined to live frugally, Bob and Robin gave up electrical conveniences in favor of wood and propane. They enjoy the noticeable quiet of the place…and like to spend time in creative pursuits like gardening, bird-watching, weaving baskets, and crocheting rugs. Building the house bit by bit, Bob hauled the rocks from his creek with his trusty wheelbarrow. The hand-crafted Murphy bed…(yes, another creation of Bob’s), pulls down at bedtime and off to dreamland they go. Guests are welcome to sleep over in the “media room,” where they can stay in touch with the outside world by turning on a re-purposed car radio; or choosing a book from the pretty oak shelves that used to be in the Brown County Public Library. The commodious screened porch has multiple chairs for viewing the pretty setting with its pond and gardens, and a daybed beckons as the perfect place to let breezes and chirping crickets lull one into blissful sleep on a summer night. Our tour guests are invited to walk beyond the garden area and see the next phase of the Birdsongs’ quest for the simple life…future plans call for an even smaller residence to evolve from the current garage…we’ll keep you posted on their progress. |
Cabin 4: Gary Harden & Dawn Snider
Call it kismet, karma, or destiny…when Dawn Snider and Gary Harden were just fifth-grade classmates at Nashville Elementary, who would have guessed that they would join hands and hearts in a mid-life marriage? Their lives had taken different paths for thirty-five years, but reconnected in 2004. A sunny day’s drive in June 2005 led Dawn to Freeman Ridge Road, where she spied a “For Sale” sign. Too rugged to drive her car on the rutted driveway, Dawn hiked back to the dilapidated 1950’s-era house, and even though brush and brambles obscured the view, she was sure there was a spectacular vista from this vantage point. She shared her “discovery” with Gary…and his face lit up as he envisioned their future home on the site he dubbed “flat top.” They soon purchased the property and razed most of the original structure, leaving only 2 walls and the basement floor. Discussing and designing as they went, the couple labored side-by-side for over a year as they built their dream house. Gary was well-prepared for the task, having picked up a hammer at age 5 as he began learning carpentry skills from his father, Jim Harden, a well-known Brown County home builder. Long-time friends and masters of their trades, Charlie Stiles and Vernon Fleetwood, were closely involved in the construction process, and Gary and Dawn are proud that all work done was by the hands of Brown County craftsmen and carpenters. You will appreciate the many beautiful photographs, paintings, carvings, and furniture by notable artists of today and yesteryear, as well as lots of family heirlooms. This house is well-equipped to handle party guests with its magnificent great room, three bedrooms & baths, and three fireplaces. A gorgeous view is enjoyed from every room on any of the home’s three levels, and a cozy apartment is always ready when Gary and Dawn have family or friends come for weekend visits. Sit for a few moments in the porch swing or a rocking chair, and take pleasure in the panoramic valley views of farmland, forests, and villages north of Freeman Ridge. Shuttle parking will be in a lot on the east side of SR 135 across from MacDonald’s Shopworth IGA. Concessions are available for purchase at that lot. |
Cabin 5: Mel & Jane Lane
A six-year search came to an end when Mel and Jane Lane stepped onto this property…they knew they were home at last. Even before the Lanes had found the acreage, they had begun acquiring lumber from torn-down barns, collecting antique furniture, and bits of this and that in anticipation of building a home in Brown County. Jane realized at the tender age of nine that living in a log cabin was exactly where she wanted to be, and gets a bit misty when she tells a visitor: “He built this house for me.” Jane clearly appreciates Mel’s labor of love; and Mel becomes sentimental as he reveals how building cabin walls with son Dan opened new doors into their father/son relationship. Doing double-duty as their own contractors and carpenters, the home was built three years ago of poplar logs, sawed square and cut to size at our local Helmsburg Sawmill. Reusing old materials wherever possible, they are proud of the results of their thrifty thinking. The stained glass windows came from the remains of the Stuart Anderson’s Cattle Company restaurant; and the master bathroom’s claw-foot tub came from the family that owned the property where the Indianapolis 500 racetrack is now. By coincidence, the 1920’s kitchen sink was made by the same manufacturer as the bathtub, yet they came from different homes. Declaring the spacious wrap-around porch as their favorite feature, the Lanes welcome opportunities to share it through summertime cook-outs with friends and family. Sometimes it’s all about getting a second chance, and this cabin is full of them, thanks to the ingenuity of Mel and Jane. Take, for example, the interesting curio cabinet built into the living room wall. An old storm window which might have been tossed into the dumpster by some, got its second chance when Mel acted upon the idea to repurpose the window into a door. Now the cabinet displays five generations of family mementos …from Jane’s granddad’s silver baby cup to their grandson’s baby shoes. |
Cabin 5: Jay & Ellen Carter
If you wonder if a cabin built of logs will last, then consider that James Buchanan was President when this cabin was constructed in the 1850’s. Disassembled and moved to Brown County in the 1930’s from its original location near Greensburg, this hand-hewn antique has been home to Jay and Ellen Carter for more than thirty years. Committed to being true to their home’s heritage, the Carters have added two upstairs bedrooms, the kitchen, and a large keeping room, complete with its Count Rumford-style fireplace. Jay credits one of his college professors for introducing him to the world of antiques, and he and Ellen have been dedicated to outfitting the home with furniture from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Upon learning of a 1770’s house in Massachusetts that was being torn down, Jay rented a truck and purchased the wide-plank pumpkin pine flooring now seen in the keeping room. Layers and layers of paint were scraped off to reveal each board’s time-worn patina. A beautiful cupboard from Pennsylvania houses Ellen’s prized collection of English mocha ware. These rare ceramics date back to the early 19th century, yet have a look of modern art. An assortment of lovely pewter pieces, many paintings, and collectibles such as miniature decoys, and Indian baskets add character to every room. The guest cabin just across the driveway has become a memorial to Ellen’s late father, well-known Brown County artist, Fred Rigley. You are encouraged to visit this second cabin and see Fred’s brushes and palette laid out just as he left them on his last night. Country gardens enclosed by picket fences keep Ellen busy, and are especially beautiful this time of year, so be sure to stroll about and savor the moment at your last stop on the 2011 Tour of Log Cabins and Country Homes. Parking will be at Bonds-Mitchell Funeral Home to walk to the cabin. Alternate parking will be at Al’s Garage. |
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