Village of Gays Mills
  • Home
  • Events
    • Apple Festival
    • Farmer's Market
    • Spring Festival
    • Stump Dodger Bash
  • Explore
    • Apple Orchards
    • Lodging
    • Festivals & Events
    • Kickapoo Bottoms
    • Kickapoo River
    • Kickapoo Wildlife Area
    • Log Cabin Heritage Park >
      • Altenburg-Zweifel Corn Crib
      • Barker Log Cabin
      • Matti Hen House
      • McCann House
      • Nederlo Granary
      • Tucker-O'Brien Log Cabin
      • Wauzeka Ridge School House
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Robb Park & Camping
  • Community
    • Businesses
    • Churches
    • Education and Lifelong Learning
    • Library
    • Utilities
    • Service Organizations
    • Swimming Pool
  • Development
    • Agriculture
    • Commercial Lots
    • Housing
    • Kickapoo Culinary Center
    • Mercantile Center
  • Village Services
    • Village Office and Staff
    • Cemetery
    • Elected Officials
    • Events and Meetings Calendar
    • Permit, Licenses, & Event Procedures >
      • Burning Permits
      • Vendor Permits
      • Alcohol Licensing
    • Village Ordinances & Plans
    • Village Minutes
  • Building Rentals
    • Community Commerce Center
    • Board Room
    • 212 Main Street Community Building
    • Kitchen
  • Pay My Bill
  • Urban Foresty
    • History

The Tucker-O'Brien Log Cabin

Picture
Sketch by Shirley Northern
This cabin was built in 1852 by Thomas Tucker, who brought his family from Massachusetts that year and settled in the township of Eastman. In 1867, Hannah, the widow of Thomas Tucker, and his children deeded the property to Michael Donahue, the husband of a Tucker daughter, Katherine. The Donahues resided there until Mr. Donahue’s death when the widow went to reside with a son, Joe, an Eastman carpenter.

In 1926, Lawarence Swaatek purchased the land and home from the Donahue heirs. Over a period of years other acreage had been added to the farm. Lawrence Swatek and his wife, Gladys, added rooms to the home and covered the original log cabin with wood siding as their family grew.

Aloyd O’Brien and his wife, Marie, acquired the cabin from Gladys Swatek in 1964 after the death of her husband. Their son, Dale O’Brien, his wife, Mary, and their two children lived there a short while. Wayne O’Brien, and his wife, Bernadette came into possession of the farm shortly thereafter. The house was rented to various tenants.
​

In 1979, Dennis O’Brien, son of Wayne and Bernadette, married Marlene Prew. The O’Briens gave the newlyweds the cabin and some land. The home was being razed when Virginia O’Brien, aunt of Wayne, came upon the scene. She urged them to contact Leita Slayton, as she knew of Leita’s Log Cabin project at Gays Mills, and the historical value of the cabin. As a result, the cabin was painstakingly disassembled, the parts were carefully labeled, and it was moved to Gays Mills where it was later rebuilt on this site.
Return to Main Log Cabin Page

Contact the Village

Village of Gays Mills
16381 State Highway 131
Gays Mills, WI 54631

​Village Office Phone:   608-735-4341

Village Office Fax:  ​608-735-4328

Emergency Services

Police: ​  911
Fire Department:   911
Emergency Medical Services:   911

An Equal Opportunity Provider

 Village Location 

© COPYRIGHT 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Events
    • Apple Festival
    • Farmer's Market
    • Spring Festival
    • Stump Dodger Bash
  • Explore
    • Apple Orchards
    • Lodging
    • Festivals & Events
    • Kickapoo Bottoms
    • Kickapoo River
    • Kickapoo Wildlife Area
    • Log Cabin Heritage Park >
      • Altenburg-Zweifel Corn Crib
      • Barker Log Cabin
      • Matti Hen House
      • McCann House
      • Nederlo Granary
      • Tucker-O'Brien Log Cabin
      • Wauzeka Ridge School House
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Robb Park & Camping
  • Community
    • Businesses
    • Churches
    • Education and Lifelong Learning
    • Library
    • Utilities
    • Service Organizations
    • Swimming Pool
  • Development
    • Agriculture
    • Commercial Lots
    • Housing
    • Kickapoo Culinary Center
    • Mercantile Center
  • Village Services
    • Village Office and Staff
    • Cemetery
    • Elected Officials
    • Events and Meetings Calendar
    • Permit, Licenses, & Event Procedures >
      • Burning Permits
      • Vendor Permits
      • Alcohol Licensing
    • Village Ordinances & Plans
    • Village Minutes
  • Building Rentals
    • Community Commerce Center
    • Board Room
    • 212 Main Street Community Building
    • Kitchen
  • Pay My Bill
  • Urban Foresty
    • History