You couldn’t pioneer without a felling axe
Paul Locher continues his "An American Tale" series by introducing readers to the most important tool used to open the American frontier — the felling axe.
Trees: The settlers’ biggest nemesis and asset
In his latest installment of "An American Tale," Paul Locher explains how early settlers managed to fell trees to build shelters in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
With trees cut down, firewood takes center stage
How did settlers chop fire wood and heat their homes in 1800s Ohio Country? Paul Locher offers insight in the latest installment of An American Tale.
Corn was staff of life for settlers, but was always labor intensive
After corn was husked, it had to be shelled and processed before it could be cooked into a meal in the early 1800s in Ohio Country.
Improving apple varieties was a major endeavor for settlers
Paul Locher explains how valuable apples were on the frontier of Ohio Country in the early 1800s, and how settlers improved varieties.
By hook or by crook, the wheat harvest was accomplished with intensive labor
Paul Locher details how 1800s pioneers in Ohio Country would have accomplished the wheat harvest and describes the tools they would have used to do it.
From stalk to shock to fodder, harvesting the corn crop required a myriad of...
Paul Locher explains how early settlers of Ohio country would have harvested corn, detailing the tools they would have used.
It’s time to bring on the schnitzelbank
Paul Locher details the special tools early settlers required to construct sturdy roofs for their homes in Ohio and Pennsylvania in the 1800s.
Tinsmiths were self-taught craftsmen important to daily frontier living
A tinsmith was a vital craftsman in the development of a pioneer community. The items they made encompassed everything from kitchenwares to farming tools.
Many arms (and legs) were required at a house raising
Paul Locher details the dangerous and exciting process of raising a house on the frontier of the Ohio Country in the 1800s.
