Historic preservation in question for Iola’s pioneer log cabin

On June 24, 13 Iola Historical Society (IHS) members gathered to deliberate the fate of a historic log cabin on their campus. The meeting, led by society president Cliff Mishler, centered on whether to restore the deteriorating structure, let it decay further, or replace it altogether.

“Should we pursue restoring the present structure?” Mishler questioned. “Should we simply allow it to continue wasting away? Its ongoing lifespan is undeterminable.” He noted that while the side and window structures appeared original, the roof was not and likely dated back to when the cabin was relocated from Harrison.

The discussion also explored the possibility of removing the cabin and developing a new log cabin exhibit or incorporating a log cabin interior into the projected purpose-built exhibits planned for the Lashua building’s front area.

According to the IHS website, “This small pioneer style log cabin for many years stood in the Town of Harrison, situated along the Little Wolf River on property near the Wrolstad farm that passed through the hands of Andrew Hanson, Minert Colrud, Henry Wrolstad, and Hjelmer Gill. Acquired and moved to the complex in 1989-90, its actual origins are uncertain, although available records date it back to at least the early 1930s. Household artifacts displayed date from the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a trundle bed and other pieces of furniture, along with cooking and other household utensils from the period.