William Thompson House, Double-pen dogtrot cabin in Cypress Valley, Tennessee.
The William Thompson House is a double-pen log cabin with two main rooms connected by an open passageway called a dogtrot. Free-standing chimneys stand at each end, and a continuous loft spans the entire length beneath the gable roof.
Built between 1816 and 1819, this cabin is one of the few remaining structures from the early settlement period in Benton County. It stands as a window into residential architecture during the early years of Tennessee's frontier development.
The building demonstrates early American construction methods with hand-squared timbers and dovetailed joints at the corners. These techniques reveal how settlers adapted their skills to available materials and local resources.
The house is listed on the National Register and offers insight into frontier-era construction methods for those studying historic buildings. Visitors should approach the site with care to preserve its original elements and historical integrity.
The open dogtrot passageway served not just as a architectural feature but as a living space that provided natural cooling during warm months. This design reflects the practical solutions settlers created to adapt to the region's climate.
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