Cypress Log Cabin History

On the south shore of Lake Michigan sits the Cypress Log Cabin designed by architect Murray D. Heatherington. The Log Cabin was sponsored for the 1933 World’s Fair by the Southern Cypress Manufacturers’ Association of Jacksonville, Florida. Unlike the other houses in the Home and Industrial Arts Group venue, the Cypress Log Cabin was built as an exhibition building to demonstrate the many uses of cypress and the unique qualities of cypress as a building material. At the fair, historic photo the cabin presented a mountain lodge atmosphere, with fences, arbors, and bridges decorated with cypress knees carved to suggest animal heads, reptiles, and fantasy creatures. None of these details were replicated when the house was moved to Indiana Dunes National Park.

Ironically, the Cypress Log Cabin was the only house in the Home and Industrial Arts Group that actually served as a home during the Exposition. The ell, with bedroom, bath, and pantry, was occupied during both seasons of the Exposition by a representative of the Association and his wife. The living room and adjacent kitchen were originally historic living photo exhibit areas. The original historic porch photo open porch area was enclosed bedroom by the previous residents and used as a bedroom.