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Depending on where one lived,
builders have constructed new buildings from wood or stone or brick — or
sometimes sod. If there was little or no wood or stone available, such as on the
Great Plains, early immigrants would cut patches of sod in 2 x 1 x 6 foot
rectangles from soil thickly-rooted with prairie grass. The dwellings were
well-insulated but damp, and inexpensive but in need of frequent repair.
Exterior walls could be covered by stucco or wood; interior walls by plaster or
canvas. Houses of
worship were also sometimes built from sod. Above, Pastor Andrew Kinell,
presides at a worship service at Fridhem Lutheran Church, Funk, Nebraska, ca.
1890. Fridhem’s first building was constructed from sod in 1879, a 40 x 20 foot
building. The sod building lasted until 1891, when a frame church was built.
Courtesy of ELCA Archives.
See also Wikipedia
Sod House |
