Sod
House
When
settlers
first
arrived
in
Southwestern
Minnesota,
they
found
vast
prairie
with
trees
only
along
the
banks
of
rivers,
lakes
and
marshes.
With
the
scarcity
of
lumber,
pioneers
plowed
heavy
dense
prairie
sod
into
2-foot
strips,
which
were
then
stacked
green
side
down,
like
bricks
to
build
the
house
and
possibly
other
outbuildings.
Stability
was
from
the
few
trees
available
or
parts
of
wagons.
The
roof
was
covered
with
the
canvas
from
covered
wagons,
then
more
sod
was
added
for
insulation.
Sod
houses,
made
mostly
of
dirt
were
fireproof,
cool
in
the
summer,
warm
in
the
winter
and
with
walls
2
feet
thick,
safe
from
bullets
and
arrows.
Occupants
often
shared
the
home
with
rodents,
insects
and
snakes
invading
the
walls.
Because
the
roof
was
not
waterproof,
heavy
rains
eventually
dripped
inside
and
leaked
for
several
days.
It
is
estimated
that
at
one
time,
150,000
sod
homes
existed
throughout
the
Great
Plains.
Eventually,
sawmills
were
started
and
lumber
hauled
in
from
the
far
forests
so
settlers
could
erect
wood
framed
homes.
