About the Claiborne Kyle Log House:
The double pen, dogtrot log home Lucy Bugg and Claiborne Kyle built on a bluff, overlooking the Blanco River in Hays County, still stands where it was constructed in 1850. The one-story 80X20 foot, log house was built of cedar logs, hand dressed by adze, square notched at the corners and secured by wooden pegs. There are two rooms on each side of the dogtrot, each divided by a large, double-sided stone fireplace. It may be the only remaining example of a double pen, linear dogtrot log home on it original location in Texas, probably the South.
“It (Kyle log house) continues an architectural style begun in Massachusetts and Virginia, brought through Kentucky and Tennessee to Texas d uring the westward movement of the 19th century,” stated Eric S. McCready in a letter to Curtis Tunnell, acting director, National Register Program of the Texas Historical Foundation. Claiborne and Lucy lived there with eight of their own children and one adopted son after their move from Tennessee.
The historic log home was restored in 1982 using the same rock grouting and caliche technique. The tin roof was replaced with cedar shingles as the original. It was Hays County’s first parkland and is open to the public on designated days. Admission to the log house is always free.
Claiborne Kyle log house is open from spring until fall beginning with Blooms over the Blanco on the open house celebration on the first Sunday after Easter each year from 2 to 5 pm. Homemade cookies and lemonade are served.
The log house is open the first Sunday of each month after Blooms over the Blanco from 2 to 5 pm. Commission members are on hand to answer any questions and lead informal tours.
Open house season closes with the Claiborne Kyle Fried Chicken Dinner, which is held on the fourth Saturday in September. Fresh chicken is cooked on the spot! (Thus, the cache title!) Often, local politicians even serve the meal! Great 25+ year tradition for the log house and Kyle, Texas.
The log house is also open for special tours for schools or groups. Area third graders visit the log house each spring and learn of life in early Hays County from commission members.