The Smith–Hollingsworth–Thomas Log Cabin Restoration

The Smith–Hollingsworth–Thomas Log Cabin was originally constructed in 1867, shortly after Kansas achieved statehood in 1861. Built by James Smith, the cabin was constructed using locally sourced oak, walnut, and hickory logs, carefully hand-hewn and fitted using traditional frontier building techniques.

The structure features a dogtrot design, a style common in 19th-century frontier architecture. A dogtrot cabin consists of two enclosed rooms separated by an open breezeway, providing ventilation during hot Kansas summers. The original structure included chimneys on both ends and historically did not include a porch or awning.

This cabin stands as a tangible reminder of early settlement life in southeast Kansas and reflects the resourcefulness and craftsmanship of Oswego’s earliest residents.

The cabin is officially listed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural and historical significance to the State of Kansas.

It is one of only three surviving log cabins in Kansas that remains on its original foundation, making it an exceptionally rare historic structure. Many early Kansas cabins were relocated or reconstructed over time. Remaining on its original foundation preserves not only the building itself, but its authentic historical setting.

The restoration of the Smith–Hollingsworth–Thomas Log Cabin is being made possible through a $100,000 grant awarded by the Kansas Heritage Trust Fund.

The Kansas Heritage Trust Fund supports preservation projects across the state that protect significant historic resources and ensure their longevity for future generations. This competitive grant program recognizes projects that demonstrate strong historical value, structural need, and long-term community impact.

In addition to the $100,000 grant award, additional funding is being collected through fundraising efforts by the Oswego Historical Society to complete the restoration. These local funds reflect the Society’s commitment to preserving one of Oswego’s earliest surviving structures.

Restoration work is begins on site in March using historically appropriate methods to stabilize the structure while maintaining its architectural integrity. The goal is to preserve both the physical structure and its historical authenticity for generations to come.