Prairie Architecture: The Complete Guide to Sod Houses and the Ethnic Groups Who Built Them
- Deirdre Gamill-Hock
- Sep 8
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 12
When thousands of immigrants stepped onto the vast Dakota and Nebraska prairies in the 1880s, they faced an immediate challenge: how to build a home with no trees in sight and lumber that cost more than most families earned in a month? Through historical research into family history and genealogy records, we can trace how these immigrant families in Dakota Territory found their answer beneath their very feet. In the form of prairie sod that Swedish homesteaders aptly called "prairie marble."
The Great Challenge: Building on the Treeless Plains
In 1862, Abraham Lincoln put his signature on a deal that seemed almost too good to be true: stick it out on a patch of wilderness for five years, build something worthwhile, and 160 acres of American soil would be yours to keep. No purchase price, no rent. Just sweat equity and the grit to call an empty stretch of prairie home.
Between 1873 and 1920, waves of immigrants poured into the Dakota Territory - German-Russians fleeing military conscription, Scandinavians seeking farmland, and settlers from across Europe and the British Isles. For immigrant families from forested regions of Europe, the reality of the Great Plains came as a shock. Major Stephen H. Long had labeled the area the "Great American Desert" in 1820, and early settlers understood why. All these newcomers faced the same stark reality on the treeless prairie: finding shelter.
The Science of "Prairie Marble"
Prairie sod wasn't simply dirt. It was an engineering marvel created by nature over thousands of years. Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), slough grass (Spartina pectinata), little bluestem, wire grass, prairie cordgrass, and Indian grass had developed incredibly dense, tough root systems that bound the soil into nearly indestructible blocks.
Homesteaders often found out the hard way that sod cutting had to be done under specific conditions. Too early in the spring, and the bricks were impossibly heavy, soggy, and waterlogged chunks. Wait too long into the summer heat, and the grass would turn brittle. You'd get nothing but cracked, crumbling pieces that fell apart in your hands.
The bricks had to be cut between late spring and early summer when the roots had really taken hold and grown strong, but before the sun baked everything dry and hard. Get the timing right, and you could peel off clean, intact strips that held together perfectly.
Swedish homesteader Rolf Johnson captured the reality of sod construction in 1876: "Building sod houses, especially when the wind blows, is not quite as pleasant as being out buggy riding with a girl. One's nose, eyes, mouth, ears, and hair get full of loose dirt. OK! It's bad!"
As I develop my own generational trauma historical fiction series based on family history, Johnson's honest account captures the reality that many writers miss. Frontier survival stories weren't romantic adventures, but gritty, dirty work that tested families across generations.
The Construction Process: A Community Effort
Site Selection and Preparation
Experienced builders chose sites on slight slopes for drainage, near water sources, and positioned to take advantage of natural windbreaks. The ground was often excavated one to two feet below ground level to reduce wall height and the amount of sod needed.
Cutting the Sod
Initially, sod was cut with spades, one brick at a time—backbreaking work that consumed precious daylight hours. While sources often confuse different types of plows, it appears that specialized sod-cutting plows designed specifically for construction weren't widely available until sometime in the mid-1880s.
These breaking plows were distinct from John Deere's 1837 steel plow (also called the "grasshopper plow"), which was designed for farming to break up and turn soil for planting crops. The construction-specific sod breaking plows could cut sod into uniform strips roughly 12 inches wide and 4 inches thick, though the exact timing of their development remains unclear due to conflicting historical accounts.
It took approximately one acre of sod to build a typical 12x14-foot house. Rolf Johnson described cutting bricks "2 feet long, 12 inches wide, and 4 inches thick."
Wall Construction
Wall building required two people. Often, neighbors helped one another, understanding that cooperation was essential for their survival. Sod bricks were laid grass-side down to create level surfaces for each course. Walls were typically two to three sods thick, staggered like regular bricks but without mortar.
The walls were reinforced by laying every third or fourth layer crosswise. Door and window frames were secured with wooden rods and topped with long wood poles to distribute weight and prevent buckling.
The Critical Roof
As Roger Welsch notes in "Sod Walls": "If the roof failed, the house failed, for the endurance of the walls depended ultimately on the protection of the roof." Most families used sod roofs, which offered several advantages: they were inexpensive, provided excellent insulation, and were fireproof.
However, sod roofs had one major drawback—they leaked. They would keep families dry during the hardest rainstorm for about two hours, then drip for two or three days afterward.
In the Great Plains, cottonwood was commonly used for rafters and structural poles, and willows were used as a layer on top of the rafters before adding sod and dirt.
Cultural Variations: How Different Groups Adapted Sod Construction
While environmental constraints created similar basic construction methods, genealogy research reveals how different ethnic groups brought distinct cultural touches to their prairie homes—details essential for writers seeking authentic frontier details:
German-Russians: The Master Builders
German-Russian settlers created the most distinctive sod buildings on the prairie. Having lived on the Russian steppes, they arrived with extensive experience in earthen construction. Instead of traditional sod bricks, they often used "batsa", sun-dried bricks made from clay, manure, and straw. These created walls almost three feet thick, providing superior insulation.
The Welk Homestead in North Dakota, built in 1899 by Ludwig and Christina Welk (Lawrence Welk's parents), exemplifies German-Russian architecture. German-Russian families were known for:
Connecting barns and livestock areas directly to houses for warmth and efficiency
Brightly colored interiors (the WPA Guide to North Dakota from 1938 noted their colorful dwellings)
Practical additions like summer kitchens and attached granaries
Advanced understanding of thermal efficiency from their steppe experience
Scandinavian Settlers: Bringing Northern European Traditions
Scandinavian homesteaders incorporated elements from their homeland, building traditions:
Swedish Families:
Often constructed peaked gable roofs when materials allowed, reflecting traditional Swedish architecture
Emphasized interior organization and cleanliness, dividing single rooms with hanging blankets or sheets
Built corner fireplaces for maximum heat efficiency, a Swedish tradition
Created carefully organized kitchen areas with shelves built into thick sod walls
Norwegian Families:
Brought extensive experience with sod construction from Norway, where turf houses were typical in rural areas
Often incorporated timber framing techniques when wood was available
Emphasized community cooperation in construction, reflecting Norwegian barn-raising traditions
Danish Families:
Focused on practical, efficient designs
Often created attached work areas for processing dairy products, reflecting Danish agricultural traditions
Irish and Scotch-Irish
Irish settlers, particularly the Scotch-Irish, brought valuable frontier experience and knowledge of sod construction from Ireland, where it was used for temporary dwellings by laborers moving from place to place.
Key Irish contributions:
Use of lime whitewash made from lime or seashells to cover walls
Practical understanding of drainage and foundation work
Experience with thatched roofing techniques that adapted well to sod roofs
Knowledge of using local materials effectively
The Scotch-Irish were often found on the western edge of settlement, serving as "the cutting edge of the frontier" and bringing practical building skills developed in Ulster.
Scottish and Welsh Settlers
Scottish settlers sometimes incorporated stone elements when fieldstone was available, drawing from their homeland's extensive stone-building traditions. Welsh settlers, experienced with coal mining and earth construction, often excelled at creating effective drainage systems around their sod houses.
English Settlers: Practical Adaptations
English homesteaders typically focused on practical and efficient designs, and were often among the first to transition to frame construction when lumber became available via the railroad.
Daily Life in Sod Houses
For historical fiction writers and those exploring family history, understanding daily life provides authentic details of the frontier that are often missing from sanitized accounts. This historical research into how families actually lived offers insights crucial for any multi-generational saga exploring the immigrant experience.
The Advantages
Sod houses provided excellent natural climate control. The thick earthen walls stayed cool in summer and retained heat in winter. Many residents praised them as being "cheap, cool in summer, warm in winter." The natural insulation meant a single stove could effectively heat the entire dwelling.
The Challenges
Life in a sod house required constant adaptation:
Dirt continuously fell from the ceilings and walls
Limited natural light due to few windows
Persistent issues with insects, mice, and occasionally snakes
Roof leakage that could last for days after rainfall
Constant battle against dust and debris
Making It Home
Pioneer women became experts at creating livable, attractive spaces within these earthen walls:
Hanging sheets or newspapers on walls to catch falling dirt
Using whitewash or clay plaster to smooth and brighten interior surfaces
Creating beautiful braided rugs from old clothing and fabric scraps
Building shelves and storage areas into the thick walls
Organizing efficient kitchen areas with careful attention to workflow
Mattie Oblinger's letter to her family back east on the day she moved into her new sod house reveals the optimistic spirit of many settlers: despite acknowledging the challenges, she expressed excitement about her new life and had only minor complaints about sod house living.
The Transition Period and Legacy
Most families intended their sod houses as temporary shelter. A stepping stone to something better. The typical timeline was six to seven years of sod house living, during which families broke prairie, planted crops, and saved money for frame houses.
By 1890, the arrival of railroads had made lumber more affordable, and most sod houses were replaced by frame structures. However, some remarkably durable examples lasted much longer:
The famous two-story Haumont sod house in Nebraska, built by Belgian immigrant Isadore Haumont in 1884-85, stood until 1967
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, several Custer County farmers who had lost their homes built new sod houses
As late as 1940, new sod houses were still being constructed in remote areas of Nebraska.
Regional Variations and Materials
Nebraska and Kansas
Predominantly buffalo grass and big bluestem construction
Extensive documentation through Solomon Butcher's photography project (nearly 3,500 glass plate negatives between 1886 and 1912)
Generally single-story construction with occasional story-and-a-half designs
North Dakota
Heavy German-Russian influence with Batsa construction
More frequent use of the attached barn and livestock areas
Often, more sophisticated drainage systems
South Dakota
Mix of ethnic building traditions
Kingsbury and Hamlin counties showed strong Swedish influence
Emmons, Logan, and McIntosh counties reflected German-Russian techniques
Preservation and Documentation
Today, few original sod houses survive, making them precious historical artifacts. Notable preserved examples include:
Dowse Sod House near Comstock, Nebraska (National Register of Historic Places)
Gustav Rohrich Sod House, Bellwood, Nebraska (NRHP-listed)
Jackson-Einspahr Sod House, Holstein, Nebraska (NRHP-listed)
Welk Homestead, North Dakota (German-Russian Batsa construction)
The most comprehensive documentation comes from Solomon Butcher's photographic collection, now owned by the Nebraska State Historical Society. His nearly 3,500 photographs provide an invaluable record of sod house construction and daily life.
The Lasting Impact
These humble earthen homes weren't just temporary shelters. They were the foundation stones of new American communities, built one block of prairie sod at a time by immigrants who transformed a 'Great American Desert' into the nation's breadbasket. This comprehensive guide supports historical fiction writers and genealogy research, providing authentic frontier details for anyone exploring family history or writing stories based on their own ancestors' frontier survival experiences.
Final note: As someone developing a multi-generational saga based on family history, I've discovered that the most compelling historical fiction emerges from understanding not just what happened, but how those experiences shaped families for decades to come
This research is being used to develop a historically accurate multi-generational, multi-family drama series set in Dakota Territory during this pivotal period. The harsh realities of homesteader life, including the desperate struggle for food survival, will be central to authentic storytelling that honors the true experiences of these pioneering families.
This post draws from historical records, firsthand accounts, and research into the natural disasters that plagued Dakota Territory during the 1870s and 1880s. The experiences of homesteaders varied by location, timing, and individual circumstances. Overall, the pattern of food scarcity and survival-focused eating was tragically common.
Sources and References
Primary Sources
Johnson, Rolf. 1876 diary entries, Phelps County, Nebraska - Referenced in Nebraska State Historical Society publication on sod house construction (View source)
Oblinger, Mattie. Letters to family, homestead correspondence - Referenced in Nebraska Studies materials (Building a Sod House, Living in a Sod House)
Federal Writers Project interviews, 1930s, Library of Congress - Available through Library of Congress digital collections (Federal Writers Project Resources, Born in Slavery Collection)
Butcher, Solomon D. Photographic Collection, 1886-1912, Nebraska State Historical Society - Available through Nebraska State Historical Society Archives (ArchivesSpace Collection)
Published Sources
Bristow, David L. "Building a Sod House." Nebraskaland Magazine, May 2024 - [Building a Sod House]
Welsch, Roger. Sod Walls: The Story of the Nebraska Sod House. Broken Bow, NE: Purcells, 1968 - [Print publication - URL not available]
"Section 4: Homes." 4th Grade North Dakota Studies. North Dakota Studies Project - Available online (4th Grade North Dakota Studies)
"Building a Sod House." Nebraska Studies. Nebraska State Historical Society - Available online (Nebraska Studies)
"Living in a Sod House." Nebraska Studies. Nebraska State Historical Society - Available online (Nebraska Studies)
Institutional Sources
Nebraska State Historical Society, Manuscript Collection RG2034.AM: "Sod House Construction Instructions" - Referenced in NSHS publications (Contact NSHS)
State Historical Society of North Dakota, Germans from Russia Heritage Collection - [Contact SHSND directly for access]
Welk Homestead State Historic Site, North Dakota - Available for visits and research (Official Site, Tourism Guide)
National Museum of Ireland, "Traditional Irish Architecture FAQs" - [National Museum of Ireland, Architecture]
Library of Congress, "Immigration and Relocation in U.S. History" - [Library of Congress]
Academic Sources
Bjork, Kenneth O. "The Norwegians in America: 'Giants of the Earth'" in The Immigrant Experience in America. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1976 - [Print publication - URL not available]
Hansen, Karen V. Encounter on the Great Plains: Scandinavian Settlers and the Dispossession of Dakota Indians, 1890-1930. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013 - Available from Oxford University Press (Oxford Academic, Amazon)
Zempel, Solveig, ed. In Their Own Words: Letters from Norwegian Immigrants. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1991 - [Print publication ]
Government Sources
U.S. National Park Service. "Homesteading in the Badlands" - [Homesteading in the Badlands]
National Register of Historic Places documentation for various sod house sites - [Available through NPS database]
WPA Guide to North Dakota, 1938 - [Historical publication]
Digital Collections
Institute for Regional Studies, North Dakota State University, Hultstrand Collection - Available through NDSU Archives and Digital Horizons (NDSU Archives, Digital Horizons)
Digital Exhibits, Washington State University Libraries - Available online (WashU Digital Projects, Digital Exhibits)
Nordic and Scandinavian Americans, Wikipedia (extensively sourced) - Available on Wikipedia
Sod House entry, Wikipedia (with academic citations) - Available on Wikipedia
Notes on Source Accessibility
Sources with Direct URLs Found: Many institutional and academic sources now have digital presence, particularly the Nebraska Studies materials, North Dakota Studies curriculum, NDSU digital collections, and Oxford University Press academic publications.
Sources Requiring Direct Contact: Some archival materials and manuscript collections require direct contact with institutions. The Nebraska State Historical Society and State Historical Society of North Dakota maintain these specialized collections.
Print Sources: Several academic books and older publications remain primarily in print format, though many are available through academic libraries and online book retailers.
Digital Collections: The Hultstrand Collection and other photographic archives are increasingly digitized and available through institutional digital repositories.
This comprehensive guide supports historical fiction writers and researchers interested in authentic details of frontier life and immigrant experiences on the Great Plains. All information has been verified through multiple historical sources and academic references.
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