Around 13 miles south of Independence, KS, our trail takes us to the place calculated to be the location of the actual 'Little House on the Prairie' From the evidence it is certain someone lived here at that time and it seem mostly likely to be the Ingalls. The owners of the land have arranged for a log cabin to be constructed near the road which helpfully gives visitors a focus to the site. The cabin isn't exactly as Laura described it but it is probably the same size as Laura's and give some idea of the conditions they lived under. Inside are many of the tools and objects that would have graced the inside of a 19th century log cabin. On a day as hot as the one on which we visited, I cannot say that being inside or outside made much difference. At least outside, the constant prairie wind was blowing. Although it did nothing to lower the temperature, it felt less stifling. Nearby is the location of a well - capped in concrete. (You must take their word for it that it is under there!) This would be the well Pa and Mr Scott dug. An old school house and post office are located in the same field. As interesting as they are I couldn't help feeling this was not the place to exhibit them. Trees planted a long time ago and now within a few feet of the log cabin somewhat spoil the effect of the wide open prairie but one only needs to walk across the road to see an ocean of beautiful prairie grass and flowers. It doesn't take much imagination to mentally place the cabin among this open prairie. I was surprised to see a ridge of hills to the south west, having got the impression that this land to be completely flat. Before we left we hunted around for some creek bottoms, their positions being given away by the line of tree-tops protruding above the level of the prairie. The creeks flow well below the prairie level and are overhung with many trees along their length. Just occasionally there are clearings, just right for an Indian camp! There are plenty of creeks to choose from and are good places to see all kinds of wildlife sheltering from the sun and wanting easy access to water. Here at last was a cooler place. It is also the place to see a bewildering array of insects hovering over or skating upon the water. The insects reminding us of the true source of 'Fever n' ague'!
	OTHER PAGES ON THE FRONTIER GIRL TRAIL. Rocky Ridge Museum, Rocky Ridge House, Mansfield, Mansfield Cemetery Kansas Prairie, Independence Kansas, Keystone South Dakota, De Smet, Pa's Claim site, The Homestead, De Smet Cemetery, De Smet Pageant. Tracy, Walnut Grove Museum, Plum Creek, Walnut Grove Pageant. South Troy, Lake Pepin, Pepin Museum, Big Woods house. Burr Oak, Ia., Vinton Iowa. Trail Home Page - - - Frontier Girl Main site Copyright ©, 2000 - Phil Greetham.