The “Soddy”

The sod house, commonly known as a “soddy,” served as a popular alternative to the traditional log cabin during the pioneering days of the 1800s and early 1900s in the Canadian and American Great Plains. Initially employed for animal shelters, corrals, and fences, settlers turned to this innovative construction method when conventional materials like wood or stone were scarce on the prairie. Abundant and cost-free, the thickly-rooted prairie grass yielded the ideal resource for crafting these unique abodes, thanks to its robust root structure, far superior to that of today’s manicured lawns.

Homesteaders crafted bricks from the sod, typically measuring 18 inches in width, 24 inches in length, and weighing approximately 50 pounds each. Erecting a modest 16 x 20-foot dwelling demanded around 3,000 earthy bricks.

Sod houses were surprisingly accommodating, featuring standard doors and windows. These structures boasted affordability and speed of construction compared to their wooden counterparts. However, they necessitated frequent upkeep and remained susceptible to rain damage, mainly when the roofing was primarily composed of sod. To brighten the interior, settlers often lined the walls with canvas or stucco. Typically, one of the initial enhancements homesteaders made involved adding raised wooden floors to their sod houses

Cherry County, Nebraska c.1880-81