1870 Log House Model

By 1870, Delphos had been incorporated for 20 years and had a population of almost 2000 people.  The soldiers had returned home from the “War Between the States,” a new 3-story brick school building had been built on North Jefferson Street . and  the Bredeick-Lang house stood as a fine example of modern architecture.  Delphos was thriving.

At that same time, when most of the land around Delphos was still either forest or swamp, Dominick Gengler cleared some land ½ mile east of Landeck and built a large 2 story log house.  His son, Thomas E Gengler,  was born in that log house in 1883 and lived there for 7 years before the family built another home, this time a brick one. Thomas lived in the brick home most of his life, but he never forgot the log house of his earlier years; and many years later, he built a replica as he remembered it.  The roof opens on hinges to reveal the interior which includes some furniture he made of walnut, just like the original furniture.

The canal museum is fortunate to have this fine example of early architecture and invites you to stop in and see it as well as the reconstructed log cabin located on the second floor.  The museum is open every Saturday & Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. and every Thursday from nine to noon. 

Printed in the Delphos Herald April 14, 2012