Ritter Log Cabin, 118 West Johnson Avenue, Springdale, Washington County, AR

This structure was moved from Highway 112 near Elm Springs in 1979.
1995 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Entry
Significance: The Ritter Log Cabin dates back to the 1850's through a study performed by David Stahle, dendrochonologist with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The May 1980 study was performed on eleven core specimens from the cabin's logs. Through the counting of annual rings inward from the outside, the dates of drought, fires, and other occurrences that affect tree growth can be reliably established. In the rings, Stahle found evidence of frost damage which was a well-known climatic occurrence during the years of 1779 and 1826 throughout the central United States. Stahle determined that six cuttings date at 1853 and two at 1854.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N202
Survey number: HABS AR-42
Building/structure dates: ca. 1853- ca. 1854 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: ca. 1870- ca. 1879 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1979