Go back in time at Osteen's cabin 11/21/2009 11:05 PM
By RACHEL JOHNSON Staff writer
For 31 years, the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving have been big days at the Osteens.
A tradition begun from one man's love of history and desire to share with others has forged many new friendships over the years and has introduced generations of local residents to a bygone way of life.
In 1976 John Osteen spent his free time building a log cabin. It took him all year to build as he was working 40 hours a week at the Clearwater Finishing Plant and caring for his family and a residence on the lake.
"I loved old stuff, and the bicentennial year, I grew a beard and built the cabin. There were 4,400 untreated wooden shingles on the roof, but, when they went bad, I put a tin roof on the cabin," he explained to a curious guest.
This year more guests than ever came through on Saturday.
"It has been one of the biggest days I have ever had," said Osteen from inside his log cabin.
Upon arrival, guests are asked to stop in the log cabin where Osteen sits on a stool tending to the wood stove where he keeps coffee, biscuits and sweet potatoes warm. As he greets the guests, he offers a sample of the treats and welcomes them to his slice of history. As he fills plates, he encourages everyone to sample the biscuits with a taste of honey, but not before he warns, "the syrup could be fatal to a Yankee."
"The sweet potatoes are the kind that make your eyes light up and say 'Howdy.' We called this kind of sweet potato 'slips' on my daddy's farm," he said while filling a plate. "When you come to John Osteen's cabin, you don't stand back and be bashful."
"I just love to stand back and listen to him talk," said Annie Gunter, who has been visiting for more than 10 years. "The first time I came, I learned his family was from Pinewood where I grew up."
There is a guest register at the entrance to the cabin; the register becomes a memory for Osteen since, after the visitors have gone, he reads over the list and remembers the conversations and shared memories.
Each year he invites the public to come and share in his passion for history with him. He opens the log cabin, smokehouse, a replica of the Reid Schoolhouse in Sumter County, Confederate museum and other attractions, all of which he built from scratch with the exception of the smokehouse.
"I was very impressed with the wood stove and the log cabin," said Staci Costello as she was leaving. "We are lifelong residents of Aiken County and just live up the road, but this was our first time ever coming. We will come back."
Osteen's cabin is open today from 1 to 5 p.m. There is no charge.
Osteen's property is located in Couchton on Highway 302, across the street from Couchton Baptist Church. For more information, call Osteen at 507-2268.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
0