Laura's family left their little house in the big woods of Wisconsin early in the spring, crossed the frozen Lake Pepin to Minnesota and headed south.  This is the site Pa Ingalls chose to settle his family, just outside of what is now Independence, Kansas.  There is now a "living" museum in a rebuilt little log house.  Visit if you can, otherwise, visit with us on this page!

This sign describes the Ingalls and the museum honoring their one-year stay in what they thought was "Indian Territory".  Actually, they were three miles from "Indian Territory", but they did not know that, and eventually left, afraid they would be evicted by the Federal government.

Here is a closer look at the replica of the "Little House on the Prairie".  As you read the book, imagine the Ingalls living in this tiny cabin.  This is the land where the original little house stood, and where sister Carrie was born in 1870.

The interior (inside) of the cabin looks like this.  Notice the bootjack hanging on the wall, and the little china sheperdess standing on the fireplace mantle.  The girls had their bed on this side of the fireplace, and Pa and Ma had theirs on the other.  The window in the upper right corner has hinges made of straps of leather. 

The other side of the cabin shows a   chair in the lower left corner.  It is made of one, large log, stood on end.  Many pioneers had chairs like this, and they are actually quite comfortable, especially if the lady of the home made a cushion for the seat and back.