Little House on the Prairie log cabin to be rebuilt: Hut built on site where author Laura Ingalls Wilder lived with her family in 1869 is set to get a beautiful makeover
- The log cabin was built in 1977 on land that author Laura Ingalls Wilder lived
- After decades of Kansas weather the cabin is getting an upgrade and a barn
- This year marks the 150th birthday of Wilder who wrote the 'Little House' series
- The wholesome TV show Little House on the Prairie starring Michael Landon became a hit in the 1970's and brought wider appeal to Wilder's books
The log cabin at the 'Little House on the Prairie' site near Independence, Kansas is getting its first, and much needed make-over since it was built back in 1977.
The deteriorating log cabin has been weathered by Kansas storms. Owners Jean Schodorf, former Kansas Senator, and her brother, narrator and journalist Bill Kurtis, who jointly inherited the cabin and land are readying to make the upgrades.
The current cabin was re-created during the heyday of the popular TV show 'Little House on the Prairie' starring Michael Landon, in 1977. The wholesome television series was based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's books which centered on her childhood.
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The cabin at the 'Little House on the Prairie' site is a re-creation built in 1977 by the parents of Bill Kurtis and Jean Schodorf (pictured in front of cabin)
Inside the Little House on the Prairie cabin, currently closed due to public safety concerns
The Little House on the Prairie TV series starring Michael Landon (middle) was wildly popular during the mid 70's and was based on the Little House books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Wilder spent a year with her family at the Kansas site in 1869, the Wichita Eagle reported. The siblings say they want to rebuild the cabin and add a barn.
'We will be using any of the materials that are salvageable for the new cabin,' Schodorf said last week. 'But really, that may be just the windows, floor and maybe the fireplace chimney.'
Wilma Kurtis, Schodorf's mother inherited the land from her grandparents and discovered in 1968 it was the site of Wilders homestead.
Wilma and her husband retired General William Kurtis were living on the land and built the cabin with a local community group called the Independence Jaycees according to the Independence Daily Reporter.
'We have been cleared for zoning and an environmental study that had to be done - all the modern regulations,' Schodorf said.
'We've jumped through all the modern hoops and paid for an architectural study and signage and two sculptures.'
She said that more than 20,000 people visit the site each year. But with the current cabin drooping and logs weakening, its interior is barred from the public for safety reasons.
The wholesome TV show, The Little House on the Prairie, ran from 1974 until 1983
The cabin was built after the Kurtis family discovered the land they were living on was where author Laura Ingalls Wilder of the Little House book series had lived back in 1869
'We get people coming here just to see the site because their child has read the book,' Schodorf said. 'We want them to experience the prairie.'
About $30,000 has been raised to rebuild the cabin, but the owners need nearly $20,000 more to help pay skilled craftsmen.
'Now we are hoping to get craftsmen who are knowledgeable on building cabins,' Schodorf said.
'After that, we are hoping we will have volunteers who are knowledgeable of Kansas history and have strong backs to lift logs (to) ... help us build the cabin walls.'
The cabin is scheduled for construction in October and November. Meanwhile this year marks the 150th year of Ingalls birth. One of Ingalls memorable quotes: 'Home is the nicest word there is.'
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