The cabin is thought to have been built in the late 1700's, and it stands as originally built. It's the oldest structure in Allegheny County still on its' original site.now the home of Camp Deer Creek.
GIESY CABIN (Indiana Twp., Allegheny County)
- Thread starter jeff of pa
- Start date
smurf-42
Sr. Member
This Camp was just on the news. The have horses that were not being properly taken care of. Would like to find out more information on this since it is not to far from me.
Sue
Sue
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #3
smurf-42 said:
UhOh ! they may be shy then of strangers on the property.
May want to try finding someone who knows them
as a go between.
smurf-42
Sr. Member
Found an article from January 5, 2006 about this place--
Nestled amid the Deer Creek valley off Route 910 sits the Giesy log cabin, a throwback to days past when farms dotted the rolling hills of Indiana Township and its villages were linked by mud wagon paths.
Its original log construction exudes a rustic charm that makes passersby imagine what life was like in the late 1700s when the house is thought to have been built.
"I like the look. It fits in with the landscape," said Wes Weitzel, whose family bought the land 1973 and has since left the integrity of the home intact -- mostly.
There have been additions along the way -- like the recently-built kitchen with heated floors -- but the modernization belies the historical value. Largely, the house stands as it did two centuries ago, down to each massive wooden beam insulated with mud and horse hair.
In fact, the Giesy house is the oldest structure in Allegheny County on its original site.
"It may be an ego thing, but I'm proud to have it," said owner L. Jay Weitzel, who with his wife, Patricia, bought the home and the adjoining children's facility, Camp Deer Creek. Both are retired teachers; Weitzel taught for 26 years in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
"That it sits on the region's oldest and finest children's camp is something I'm even more proud of."
The Weitzel family operates Camp Deer Creek, now in its 74th season, for kids ages four to 15. The 46-acre tract of land that houses the Giesy log cabin is the ultimate backdrop for the summer site.
With its horse-riding ring, activity fields and nature trails, children are led through each day on a full curriculum of environmentally-themed fun that includes archery lessons, a climbing wall and creek hikes.
Sometimes, they hear stories of the "legend of the ghost of farmer Giesy," laughs Jay Weitzel, fresh off feeding his horses that live in the field below the home. The spirit is said to still make its home at the expansive site along Eisele Road, but Weitzel has never encountered it.
Still, signs of Giesy's life as it was in the 1800s are accentuated in details of the cabin, where tree trunks double as structural joists and clay works as log caulking.
According to the township's historical commission, Giesy documented the addition of a log and stone kitchen in 1847.
In the past eight years that Wes has taken over the home, he's spent much of the time restoring the simple but impressive grandeur of the original architecture. When he moved in, the chiseled beams that line the walls were blanketed with white board.
"I sandblasted and stained them and worked hard to get them exposed," he said. "It looks more interesting than drywall."
Now, visitors are surrounded by dark wooden beams that exude an outdoorsy, yet cozy, feeling. The decor is dotted with patriotic mementos and Steelers paraphernalia, but there is an ever-present nod to generations past with Wes' collection of bronze
Indian statues.
"The Cheyenne," by Frederic Remington sits in the front yard and is a still life representation of a story that likely played out on nearby land.
"One of the home's earliest tenants used to chase Indians up Deer Creek and occasionally brush with some of Guyasuta's scouts," according to a summation of the Giesy property by the historical commission.
Tom Prager, historical director, said his group intends to compile a list of the oldest township homes. The Giesy home tops the list, he said.
"It's a genuine log house, there's no doubt about that," he said. "You can see the original structure and there's only two or three in the entire township."
Next closest in age is the Cross Keys Inn, built in the 1850s and originally called the Kittanning Pike Hotel. It was used as a stopover for travelers from Pittsburgh.
The Emmerling House, which sits nearby off Cove Run Road, also was built in the 1850s. The vacant building is used by the township's recreation and arboretum committees.
None, however, compare to the simple beauty of the Giesy house where visitors can watch Weitzel's horses galloping in the field below and listen to the trickle of Deer Creek meandering nearby.
Wes and Jay agreed, "It's a neat thing."
Nestled amid the Deer Creek valley off Route 910 sits the Giesy log cabin, a throwback to days past when farms dotted the rolling hills of Indiana Township and its villages were linked by mud wagon paths.
Its original log construction exudes a rustic charm that makes passersby imagine what life was like in the late 1700s when the house is thought to have been built.
"I like the look. It fits in with the landscape," said Wes Weitzel, whose family bought the land 1973 and has since left the integrity of the home intact -- mostly.
There have been additions along the way -- like the recently-built kitchen with heated floors -- but the modernization belies the historical value. Largely, the house stands as it did two centuries ago, down to each massive wooden beam insulated with mud and horse hair.
In fact, the Giesy house is the oldest structure in Allegheny County on its original site.
"It may be an ego thing, but I'm proud to have it," said owner L. Jay Weitzel, who with his wife, Patricia, bought the home and the adjoining children's facility, Camp Deer Creek. Both are retired teachers; Weitzel taught for 26 years in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
"That it sits on the region's oldest and finest children's camp is something I'm even more proud of."
The Weitzel family operates Camp Deer Creek, now in its 74th season, for kids ages four to 15. The 46-acre tract of land that houses the Giesy log cabin is the ultimate backdrop for the summer site.
With its horse-riding ring, activity fields and nature trails, children are led through each day on a full curriculum of environmentally-themed fun that includes archery lessons, a climbing wall and creek hikes.
Sometimes, they hear stories of the "legend of the ghost of farmer Giesy," laughs Jay Weitzel, fresh off feeding his horses that live in the field below the home. The spirit is said to still make its home at the expansive site along Eisele Road, but Weitzel has never encountered it.
Still, signs of Giesy's life as it was in the 1800s are accentuated in details of the cabin, where tree trunks double as structural joists and clay works as log caulking.
According to the township's historical commission, Giesy documented the addition of a log and stone kitchen in 1847.
In the past eight years that Wes has taken over the home, he's spent much of the time restoring the simple but impressive grandeur of the original architecture. When he moved in, the chiseled beams that line the walls were blanketed with white board.
"I sandblasted and stained them and worked hard to get them exposed," he said. "It looks more interesting than drywall."
Now, visitors are surrounded by dark wooden beams that exude an outdoorsy, yet cozy, feeling. The decor is dotted with patriotic mementos and Steelers paraphernalia, but there is an ever-present nod to generations past with Wes' collection of bronze
Indian statues.
"The Cheyenne," by Frederic Remington sits in the front yard and is a still life representation of a story that likely played out on nearby land.
"One of the home's earliest tenants used to chase Indians up Deer Creek and occasionally brush with some of Guyasuta's scouts," according to a summation of the Giesy property by the historical commission.
Tom Prager, historical director, said his group intends to compile a list of the oldest township homes. The Giesy home tops the list, he said.
"It's a genuine log house, there's no doubt about that," he said. "You can see the original structure and there's only two or three in the entire township."
Next closest in age is the Cross Keys Inn, built in the 1850s and originally called the Kittanning Pike Hotel. It was used as a stopover for travelers from Pittsburgh.
The Emmerling House, which sits nearby off Cove Run Road, also was built in the 1850s. The vacant building is used by the township's recreation and arboretum committees.
None, however, compare to the simple beauty of the Giesy house where visitors can watch Weitzel's horses galloping in the field below and listen to the trickle of Deer Creek meandering nearby.
Wes and Jay agreed, "It's a neat thing."
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- Thread starter
- #5
smurf-42
Sr. Member
Yes it does, and I am familiar with where it is located.
Sue
Sue
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