c. 1843–1846. Southeast corner of 2nd and Elm streets
In an open field, sitting all alone and somewhat forlorn, is this small split-log cabin—almost as if by the touch of a magic wand, one of John Lloyd Wright's toy Lincoln Log cabins had been enlarged to adult size. The cabin marks the site of Fort Des Moines number two, which was established in 1843. This rural log cabin, constructed in the mid-nineteenth century, was moved to this location and reconstructed under the direction of the Des Moines architect William J. Wagner. Though it is not original to the fort, the cabin suggests what some buildings of the fort must have looked like.