Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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A Question About Sod Houses

12 Comments

In the past month, I’ve gotten dozens and dozens of people stopping by, wanting to learn more about sod houses. I am utterly intrigued.

Who’s out there searching for soddies and why?
Is it time to teach about the frontier across the US and Canada?
Is there a movement to build with natural materials?
What could be drawing people to this little post I ran last year?

What do you think might be going on?

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Filed Under: this and that

Comments

  1. Anne Gallagher says

    March 7, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    Sod houses are way cool. I remember finding them in my reading a thousand years ago and they intrigued me then, as they still do. Mud and straw, what could be better.

    Just like the guy who built a house out of used tires. It’s an alternative to modern convention.

    Reply
  2. Heidi Willis says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Isn’t it cool to see what draws people to your blog? I love sifting through the site manager and seeing what posts are most popular, and how people got to them.

    Sod houses, eh? Perhaps it’s a new going-green fad? Very interesting!

    Reply
  3. Natalie says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    I think it’s the green movement! We had an “earth house” in my neighborhood when I was a kid and the people who lived there said it was much more efficient to heat and cool than a normal house. Maybe we’re about to see more.

    At least it’s something that’s related to your story. The number 1 search that brings people to my blog is “How to Become Crazy.” Apparently I am the expert.

    Reply
  4. Caroline Starr Rose says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    Natalie, that’s hilarious! A lot of the hits have “edu” addresses, so I’m assuming its teachers searching.

    Reply
  5. Sonja says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    For an interesting read about life on the Kansas frontier (with lots of details about life in a sod house)read “Pioneer Women: Voices from the Kansas Frontier” by Joanna Stratton

    It was recommended when we were traveling out West this summer and had visited a sod house. The description of snakes falling down from the roof would make it a definate NO for me!

    “Rather than the romantic, Hollywood views of these times, this book offers raw images of the harshness of life from the actual women who struggled on the frontier. The book is a compilation of letters the author’s grandmother requested and received from these women.”

    Reply
  6. Caroline Starr Rose says

    March 7, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    Sonja, yes! PIONEER WOMEN is a book I’ve read several times (and have used as a resource again and again) while working on my historical novel. I’ve even considered making a “sod brick” to use as a visual for school visits…though not a fifty pounder. Maybe I could use a cereal box, which has similar dimensions, and just cover it with turf!

    Reply
  7. Valerie Geary says

    March 8, 2011 at 3:10 am

    My guess? The apocalypse is coming. People want to be prepared. You know…just in case…

    Reply
  8. Caroline Starr Rose says

    March 8, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Because sod is so very sturdy? Valerie, you always make me smile.

    Reply
  9. Caryn says

    March 8, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Maybe people are looking for more economical ways to build, or they’re worried about the environment? Either way, it’s a good movement.

    Reply
  10. Carin S. says

    March 12, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Maybe because the book The Wilder Life is coming out soon? I just read the ARC and it was wonderful – the author travels to all the Wilder/Ingalls sites.

    Reply
  11. Caroline Starr Rose says

    March 12, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    Carin, great hypothesis! I remember your review.

    Reply
  12. Dayle James Arceneaux says

    March 24, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    I saw one in an old photograph on a special about mark twain. They had a goat on the roof.

    Reply

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