Driving around Davis County, or many other places in Utah for that matter, it’s not an uncommon sight to see small, often one-room log cabins dotting the landscape. These are often on the grounds of museums, but can sometimes be out in neighborhoods amongst modern homes. This isn’t really a sight that is seen outside of the Beehive State, so, why is it so common here?

Firstly, and perhaps most obvious, is that good old pioneer heritage. Pioneer Day is a state holiday, and covered wagons and handcarts are in the DNA of many still living in Utah, especially Davis County where handcart days are a further celebration. For Utahns and Davis County-ites, keeping the memory of the pioneers alive is just part of day-to-day life. 

That’s not the only reason, however. Strolling around the Eastern States, many buildings from the American Revolution are still standing. Going even further East, across the pond to Europe, castles and monasteries dot the landscape, preserved for centuries. It may well be that these little cabins are preserved simply because, especially in this area, were the first permanent structures around. If there were granaries or kivas from Native peoples like those found in the south of the state, those would likely be the focus of preservation efforts as well.

While it may not be the main focus for preserving these little cabins, it does serve to show just how far the people of Davis County have come since this area was settled by those from the East. Many of those who started out in those simple, one-room cabins with an entire family living in the same space ended up building larger, more comfortable houses. It’s optimistic: if they could, perhaps future generations can too.

Overarching all of this, however, would be a sense of gratitude. The vast majority of those who came west to settle this area came from a far different background. Many came from the cities and suburbs of Europe, England and Scandinavia primarily. Arriving in what would become Utah would be a rude awakening at what their future would be. 

Instead of the lush rolling hills, the almost constant rain, and cooler, moderate temperatures, they would be living in a high desert. They would have to relearn, or in many cases, learn for the first time how to grow crops, build homes, and eke out a living from the hardscrabble dirt. The temperatures would swing from a dry, almost unbearable heat in the summer, to freezing cold in the winter. It was a rough start to a difficult life.

But they did it.

Maybe that’s why these cabins around the state have been so lovingly preserved, and painstakingly maintained. The sacrifices made by so many men, women and children have been deemed worthy of remembrance, rather than being plowed under in the name of progress. Thank goodness that so many people over the decades have felt this way, so that in moments of idleness, residents can pass by, take a look at the plaques describing those who once called these small dwellings home, and say a quick and quiet thank you.