The fortunate ones would benefit from the invention of the special plow designed for this purpose called the grasshopper plow. In addition to struggles with building materials that led to the need for sod homes, there was a lack of available water and heating sources to deal with as well. In recent years, some sod homes that are being built in Scandinavia as people look for a way to cut housing costs, heating and cooling costs, and to help save the planet. This made the sod house very difficult to keep clean. The land held an abundant game. The sod is laid with the grass side down—21 layers in all. This life-saving anchor was their soddie or sod house. These blocks held together so well they earned the nickname “Nebraska bricks.”. On December 31, 1963, exactly sixty years after McCully received his patent, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the sod house. To fit them in place they would cut small sod bricks, to fit around the windows and door frames. These items managed to keep boredom at bay. Dirt was a major struggle and made even simple tasks such as cooking a meal a constant challenge. Sod homes were typically very well insulated, however they were always slightly damp, no matter what. This ingenious method had two advantages. Did they turn back and go back to the East? When they reached the point where the doors and windows would go, they added wooden frames they brought with them. In order to deal with this issue, the settlers used to hang sheets from the ceiling. Morning was the best time to harvest sod bricks which were easier to handle when the moisture content was high. Sod homes are eco-friendly because the sod can be locally cut and does not require the cutting down of trees or dangerous chemicals to make. Most times, things would develop much faster if they had neighbors in the area. They had to pick a place that was close to water, but not so close that a flood overflowing the banks of the steam might affect their lives. The LOST WAYS (The vital self-sufficiency lessons our great grand-fathers left us), Drought USA (A DIY project to secure unlimited fresh, clean water), Survival MD (Knowledge to survive any medical crisis situation), Bullet Proof Home (Learn how to Safeguard your Home). In order to support the sod above the gap, one would use sticks laid crosswise, grass or any other material that would provide good insulation. This was the second required step for building the sod house. The dugout was built six feet below ground level. The resulting structure featured less expensive materials, and was quicker to build than a wood frame house. It is a lesson we should keep in mind, as we never know what the future may bring. Once the sod house was completed they would reuse the dugout for storage or stock. Despite the name, sod homes did have some wood and other materials. There are likely to be no contractors or other professionals who would be willing to work with sod in your area. Patches of sod were typically cut into rectangles and then stacked together to form a wall. First, it would reflect the light into the room. They continued to use the soddy for storage until 1963. As with any new home, once the construction is ready, the last part you need to take care of is the finish work. The roof was made by laying poles or beams across the walls which were then covered by bundles of brush tied together, then by mud to bind them together and finally by a layer of sod laid grass side up. If the pioneers followed these steps, the resulting sod house was a sturdy construction. I'm always looking for Kansas photos because I … In order to save space, most of the sleeping materials like pillows, bed sheets, and covers were stored out during the day. It was a helping hand for the settlers who were encouraged to conquer the Western frontier. In the early frontier days of the U.S., there was a need for homes for the families who were settling in the West. Besides showing the dimensions of the sod house for when they started laying the walls, it would also reduce the insects and small animals that came into the sod house. Back then, like today, location was crucial for the new homesteader. Where railroads existed, allowing easy access to building materials, most houses and buildings of the period were framed. Even the grass that fed the buffalo and other forms of wildlife often grew three to five feet high. This creates the floor of the house. To top it all, there were times when swarms of grasshoppers would wipe out entire crops in just one day. Sod houses accommodated normal doors and windows. A sod roof is much heavier than a traditional material roof, so the support system has to be not only stronger but different as well. The North American plains were a vast mass of land that went on for miles on gently rolling terrain. If there were those who brought a stove with them, a hole was cut for a chimney. The same rule applied for everything that wasn’t needed on the spot. Even with all these challenges, life on the prairie wasn’t all a series of misfortunes. Imagine having dinner on your rooftop with food that was actually grown there. Most had endured long and grueling trips to get to these new lands, and many had staked all of the money they had to do so. It was required for the ground to be hardened. The U.S., which is very fond of permits, fees and other red tape, has established very little in the way of modern day codes for the building of homes made of sod or a related material, adobe. The less fortunate ones had to cut the sod by hand with a shovel and it was really intense labor. One would have to wet it and tamping it down with a post or any other flat and heavy object so that the dirt would compact. Seeking for medical aid or lawful help wasn’t easy when you were miles away from the nearest town. It was strong enough to withstand heavy rains and winds. The house we lived in was plastered on the inside, but was still hard to keep clean. Dig up the sod inside the marked area, rake the dirt until it's smooth and level and tamp it down as much as you can. They were built two bricks deep at the bottom and sometimes narrowing to one brick deep as it got toward the top. Since there weren’t trees that would help them build a log cabin, they had to rely on what was available. Once the walls were scraped, a layer of mud or plaster was added. First, they didn’t have to carry the bricks over long distances. Because of the material, creatures like bugs, spiders, snakes, and mice could easily make their way into the home and become a nuisance. Prairie grass has a much thicker, tougher root structure … Do keep in mind that no matter what improvements you make, the house will always be slightly damp because of the very nature of the material you are using. Some were covered with materials such as stucco or wood paneling on the outside and canvas or plaster on the inside. While the influence of the sod house cannot be overlooked, stone or timber was preferred. The sod house would settle significantly over time as the sod dried out. Life was rewarding enough for those who fought and worked hard. Those who managed to ride out the five years ended up thriving in a new environment. You can imagine that if they didn’t leave this space, the pressure might have broken the window or jam the door in place.
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