34. Bonnifield Log House

Old Settlers Association Park, at Waterworks Park (c. 1838)

Iowa's oldest log hewn house was christened by Nancy Bonnifield in March of 1838. This house is considered to be the oldest remaining white settler's cabin in Iowa.

The name "Fairfield" was chosen in this home during an 1839 meeting to name the town.

In 1907 it was moved from about 8 miles east and was re-erected here by the Old Settler’s Association.

See photos of the Oct 2011 "Life in a Log Cabin".

Resources:
The National Register of Historic Places Registration Form and photos for this building, which you can download.

See newspaper accounts about the restoration of this building, on the IAGenWeb Project web page.

Bonnifield Log House on Jefferson County Heritage webpage.

Wikipedia entry for Old Settlers' Association Park and Rhodham Bonnifield House.

Entry in the Fairfield Iowa History webpage.