The Hessler Log House
(Listed in the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites)
The cabin was built sometime between 1854 and 1856 by Joseph and Mary Hessler. He was Canadian, she was born in Ireland and both were in their mid forties when they arrived, probably by small ship out of Mackinaw.
Although we have no written record as to how Hessler built his cabin, it is obvious from the sheer weight and bulk of the logs that one man could not realistically build such a cabin alone. Other pioneers lived in the general vicinity including a shinglemaker. At least one pioneer living close by owned some oxen whose formidable strength were often used in the lifting of the logs. Building materials were scarce so the huge timbers cut from white pine and hemlock trees to provide clearings were hand hewn and stacked on top of each other to form the walls. Dovetailed joints held the comers snugly together without nails or fasteners. Over the course of the ten or so years they lived on the Peninsula, the Hesslers were able to clear sixteen acres which they farmed. They raised corn and wheat, and he fished the waters and collected sugar sap in the spring to make maple syrup. They also had several out buildings and a barn.