"Model Master" Clarence Crafts Miniature Log Cabins

        One of the really nice features of living in this part of the Blue Ridge Mountains is to view many of the historical buildings built and used by the pioneers of the 1700's.  They are still found in these mountains. I have recently visited two log cabins (from about 1770 and reported to possible the oldest ones in Virginia), still located in their original location. The owner of one of these historic cabins on his farm also makes models of the log homes.  During a visit recently to his farm he offered to share his set of models with the LCF Group.  Clarence offered to share his set of model log cabin (8 inches long and 7 inches in height), log tobacco barn and corn crib with us-- this was a real delight for us.  He assured me he could make another set and had already made them for most members of his family.

            Clarence told me it would take him at least 40 hours just to make a log house and he collected the logs used to make the model in the woods on his farm. He also hand makes the wood shingles as well as the split logs for the rail fence.  See the photos at the end of the article for the great detail Clarence put into making these realistic models.

            Clarence told me he was 87 years old and prefers to spend much of his time just walking in the woods on his farm and being with mother nature watching the deer and turkeys.  He told many wonderful stories of his growing up in the area and what life was like 75 years ago. I really love to visit many of the old timers who are still living on the old family farm. Some of these farms have been in the same family for many generations and the current owners have great stories to tell about such things as making moonshine, how hunting and fishing was necessary to keep food on the table.  I hear many stories of how far they would walk to go to school or to see a neighbor. Of course automobiles were not very common until in the 50's and the roads were just dirt and mud when it rained. Walking or riding a horse was the only way to travel for most folks at the turn of the 1900's.  Many of these old roads still exist;  indeed we have them on almost every property we own. Some are still in use as very narrow country back roads.

        I would hope to report some of the  stories from the old timers in future article. A really nice book about life during the early 1900's in the Willis area of Floyd County is “The Man Who Moved a Mountain”by Richard C. Davids.  This book can be purchased at many of the local stores in Floyd and Franklin County,or from online booksellers.  I recommend this book as great reading and it will make you want to visit our part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and see such things as Buffalo Mountain and Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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