Historical records identify this structure as a "crude log cabin" or "shack" characterized by its rough, irregular, and uneven construction. Similar structures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were commonly used for:

Temporary shelters for crews working in remote areas, such as the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

Rudimentary huts built quickly by workers during major projects, like the construction of the Intercolonial Railway in the 1870s.

Early dwellings for settlers establishing themselves in areas such as Alaska, the Pacific Northwest (e.g., Alki Point in 1851), or North Dakota.

I was gonna ask if that was white17, but then realized it couldn't be because I don't think cameras had been invented yet when he built his first cabin.

Looks like a homemade wheelbarrow tipped over on the left of the cabin.

It looks relatively spacious. If it was well chinked, I bet it was pretty comfortable.

Keith

looks good, big for its, time,

My grandmas house was orig a log cabin from back in the day and just got added to and sided up over the years. Its on the 1870 atlas. When you think of a log cabin on the frontier you don't really think of it being a full first story, a full second story, and a half 3rd story attic. You can still go up into the attic and see the logs. Imagine making that in the forest wondering if Tecumseh was going to come cut your throat before you could get it built or not.

No chimney but had a screen door at one time. I'm guessing it was chinked or what's the point of a screen door? Took a crew to build. Strikes me as a timber camp used in warm weather.

Looks like it

Interesting how the roof overlaps. Probably to keep the snow out during the winter months.

What is the roof made from? Looks like sheets of something?.....jk

Shake roof, common way to do the ridge,
when all you have are materials from onsite.
laid barn shake style instead of tapered shakes.

Too big to be a shack!

so all the trees of North Dakota went into making that cabin...no wonder it is treeless