Definitely, among the few cabins in Kentucky, this 1870 log cabin stands out in a league of its own. Reassembled with great care and affection on 21 scenic acres less than a mile from Columbia after being disassembled from its original site close by, this cabin is not a replica—it is a preserved heritage of the 19th-century Kentucky that has been revitalized while maintaining its pioneer spirit intact.
The main cabin comes forward to you with the inviting warmth of the logs that were cut and shaped by hand and have witnessed Kentucky’s growth from a frontier to the Bluegrass heartland. In the original section, there are the wide-plank floors that have been worn smooth by the feet of the generations, a huge stone fireplace that was the source of heat for the entire family during the cold winter seasons, and the exposed ceiling beams with the axe marks made over 150 years ago. The cabin, whose bones date back to 1870, is equipped with modern-day thoughtful additions such as a large kitchen, dining area, and a roomy gathering room which provides comfort and convenience without compromising the authenticity.
There are three bedrooms that provide quiet refuge. The original log part of the house contains the main living areas and two of the bedrooms, whereas the loft area on the upper level can be used for sleeping or storage. A single full bathroom is available to the home which is of simple, functional design. The warmth of the grand stone fireplace, zoned mini-splits, and gas wall units is what makes the cabin comfortable and cozy, irrespective of the season.
When you step out on the large front porch, you get the feeling that the world has gone away. The pasture lands extend to the spring-fed pond, while the far-off tree lines delineate the borders of your 21-acre domain. There is a second log cabin which is fully equipped with dogtrot breezeway and upper sleeping loft and is positioned close by and thus, can serve as guest quarters, studio space, or the ideal place for summer sleepovers. It too has a porch from where one can enjoy the same spectacular view and thus, morning coffee becomes a nice habit of thankfulness.
The land here is essentially a love letter to rural Kentucky. The mildly sloping fields are perfect for either putting livestock or planting a garden and the fully grown hardwoods not only provide shade but also the habitat for deer and turkey. There is a traditionally built log-pen barn, a big storage building, and a smokehouse that are all standing ready for whatever homestead dreams you have to bring. An orchard is there to bear fruit each season and a specially made shooting range that runs through the woods is already the venue for friendly matches among neighbors.
Water is something you will never have to worry about here. The pond that is spring-fed remains full all the year through and Russell Creek, which is a popular spot for canoeing and smallmouth bass fishing, is only a little way off. You can put your kayak into the water or throw your line in whenever you want to. During fall, the woods get really colorful and in winter, the fireplaces in the cabin make snow days really special.
The location is what makes the final perfect addition. It is only seven miles from Columbia but the cabin gives the impression of being in a totally different world and is situated along one of the very first roads to town—a route that travelers have been using since Kentucky was young. Green River Lake, Lake Cumberland, and the wild beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest are all great spots for a day trip and if you get the urge for a city, Lexington, Louisville, and Nashville are only two hours away.
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This is not just the cabin—it is a lifestyle. Instead of hearing the traffic noise, you would wake to the birds singing. From the porch swing, you would be watching sunsets as they paint the sky. Thanksgiving would be celebrated with fires roaring in both cabins and children would be taught the real meaning of quiet. You would be harvesting apples from your trees and at the same time, sitting on the dock with a fishing pole in your hand, you would come to the realization that you have found the place that you are never going to want to leave.
Decades of attentive care and management are evident in every aspect of the little story: how the logs were numbered and reassembled precisely as they were in 1870, the contemporary kitchen that somehow fits perfectly with the hand-hewn beams, the second cabin that makes each visitor feel like a family member. This is the past that you can actually live in, touch, smell, and call home.
The 1870 log cabin, guest cabin, outbuildings, and entire 21-acre farm are being sold as a package for the price of $475,000—waiting for the next steward to take over and write their own chapter in its long, beautiful story.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main Cabin | c.1870 log, 3 bed, 1 bath |
| Guest Cabin | Log with dogtrot breezeway |
| Lot | 21 acres with pond & creek access |
| Outbuildings | Log barn, storage, smokehouse |
| Recreation | Shooting range, orchard, Russell Creek nearby |
| Location | 159 Alvin Willis Rd, Columbia, KY |
Source: Zillow – 159 Alvin Willis Rd, Columbia, KY 42728