The Daniel Boone Homestead

Earlier today, I went exploring in southeastern Pennsylvania and visited the Daniel Boone Homestead, which is about six miles east of Reading.  The legendary pioneer Daniel Boone was born in this area, known as Oley Valley, in 1734.  His father Squire Boone built a log cabin in 1730, which over the next 70 years was built up into the two-story house seen here.

Near the Boone house is this small building which I think was a smokehouse.

The Boone family's barn is a short walk from the two buildings above.  A wall extends around an area at its front.

Near the barn is the blacksmith shop.  It was built in nearby Amityville in 1769 and later moved to the Boone Homestead.  The aforementioned Squire Boone was a blacksmith.

I decided to take a picture of the back of the barn.

This sawmill was moved to the Boone Homestead in 1972.

Several members of a family named DeTurk lived and owned farms near the Boones.  This house belonged to Samuel DeTurk, who is buried with his brother John and other family members in a small cemetery behind it.

The Wayside Lodge, built in 1940, is seen in this last picture.  It's available for programs, meetings, seminars, and overnight lodging for youth groups.

For more about the Daniel Boone Homestead, besides the link above, go to Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation, American Heritage, Lehigh Valley Passport To History and Rural History PA.