Dietrich Cabin

The Dietrich Cabin is a log structure made from walnut timber with one and a half floors, located in Ottawa City Park and built using traditional frontier construction methods. The building displays the characteristic construction style of early settlers with hand-fitted logs and practical room arrangement.

German immigrant Jacob Dietrich built this home in 1859 after his first house burned down, making it the oldest surviving structure in Franklin County. The building weathered the decades and later underwent complete restoration to preserve its original character.

The cabin shows how German settlers lived in 19th-century Kansas, with handcrafted details and an interior arrangement that reflects their daily habits. The layout of the rooms and the materials used tell a story about the practical needs of pioneer life in a new land.

The building is open to visitors during summer Sunday afternoons through guided tours organized by the Franklin County Historical Society. The best time to visit is during the warmer months when tours are regularly scheduled.

The structure underwent complete restoration in 1961 with all later additions removed to recreate its original 1859 configuration. This careful reconstruction allows visitors today to see the building as the Dietrich family originally knew it.

Location: Ottawa

Inception: 1859

Architectural style: vernacular architecture

Floors above the ground: 1.5

Made from material: wood

GPS coordinates: 38.61083,-95.26750

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:25