1908 Cedar Stump House Washington State Vintage Postcard, Logging Life

About This Vintage Postcard

Step back in time to the Pacific Northwest frontier with this fascinating view of a Cedar Stump Residence in Washington. This incredible structure was fashioned from the hollowed-out remains of a massive Western Red Cedar, a testament to the colossal scale of the region's virgin timber. Such stump houses were common during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often serving as temporary dwellings for pioneers or as novelty attractions for early tourists. This scene captures three gentlemen in formal attire posing with their unique home, which features a hand-split shingle roof, a glass window, and a functional stovepipe. It serves as a striking visual reminder of the ingenuity and rugged lifestyle of early Washington State settlers amidst the giants of the forest.

Details

Era: Divided Back (1907–1915)
City: Seattle (Publisher Location)
State or Region: Washington
Country: United States
Topic: Cedar Stump House, Logging History, Pioneer Life, Pacific Northwest Curiosities, Giant Trees
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None (Stamp box indicates United States and Canada One Cent, Foreign Two Cents)
Address Side: divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: The Lowman & Hanford Co., Seattle
Printer: Unknown (Numbered 1103)
Print Type: Lithograph

Additional Information

This postcard was published by the Lowman & Hanford Co. of Seattle, a prominent stationery and printing firm founded in 1882 that became one of the leading postcard publishers in the Pacific Northwest. The card features an ornate "POST CARD" typography typical of the early divided back era (1907–1915). Western Red Cedars can grow to over 20 feet in diameter, and their rot-resistant wood made them ideal candidates for these makeshift shelters.

A handwritten message on the back adds a personal reflection on the scene: "How would you like to live in a house like this, I have been told that this made a very comfortable little home." This card beautifully captures the transitional period when the vast forests were being cleared, and the remaining stumps were often put to creative, if temporary, use.

This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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