New Log Cabin to Serve Milk Refreshments at Fair
Published: Friday, June 27, 2025
LaPorte County Farm Bureau now has a true Amish-built log cabin in the same spot as its artificial one relocated just a short distance away for another use during the fair, which begins this year on July 5.
A ribbon cutting was held last Thursday at the new cabin made with 12-inch diameter logs from white pine trees brought in from Wisconsin.
LaPorte County Farm Bureau President Mark Parkman said it has a projected lifespan of 100 years.
"This cabin here was built to last," he said.
The appearance of the new cabin is also a better fit in Pioneer Land since it's among the other dozen or structures in the popular 1800s type village, which comes to life during the fair and for a weekend early in the Christmas season.
Parkman said the plan was to replace the old cabin with a more solid-built, authentic looking one.
Orva Yoder and his family-owned company from Nappanee was awarded the contract to do just that and recently finished construction performed entirely on site beginning in March after the old cabin was moved less than 200 feet away.
In comparison, parts of the old cabin where milk was served to fairgoers annually for 10 cents, and later 25 cents, per cup were prefabricated and had a number of rotting boards along with other premature signs of aging less than 30 years since it was constructed.
Parkman said the old cabin with a shingled roof served its purpose well, but there were doubts whether fixing it up would be a wise, long-term investment.
He said the beloved tradition of selling white and chocolate milk will continue at the new cabin, which also has a wood-burning fireplace made of stone along with heating and air conditioning, features lacking in the old structure.
Parkman said the cost of the new, slightly larger cabin featuring a tin roof was over $100,000.
Much of the expense was offset from $1,000 contributions by over 100 individuals, farm families, businesses and organizations listed on banners placed on beams on the front porch.
Donors responding to invitations to attend the ribbon cutting received a free ribeye steak dinner eaten on picnic tables following a tour of the cabin.
"If it wasn't for their help, it would have been a much harder project for us to do," Parkman said.
Farm Bureau member Luann Troxel said she was especially taken back by the scent of white pine when she entered the cabin but also very much admired the rustic look on the inside.
"You see these huge beams and you see the barn doors and the antiques on the shelves. It's just really nice. I love it," she said.
Parkman said the new cabin might be used on a more year-round basis for meetings and other events that promote agriculture.
"This is a community cabin," said Harold Parker, a former longtime Farm Bureau District 1 director, who remains active with the organization as a member.
For now, Parkman said the old cabin will be used as a place for mothers to breastfeed their babies in privacy during the fair and change a diaper, if necessary.
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