Visit the oldest cabin in the State

In the 1800’s Oklahoma had three different land runs for settlers to claim. They were giving away 160 acres for each homestead claimed. Thomas and Elizabeth Rigney traveled from Kansas with their five children in a covered wagon to join in on the Lincoln County Land Run. This was a huge decision for the Rigneys after losing a son in Kansas. However, they made the journey and claimed their acres, building a two-story cabin in Stroud in 1891. The family used trees from the land cut down with the few hand tools they had back in the 1800s. They white washed the walls inside to brighten the space up because it was very dark inside, even with candle light. It wasn’t a very big place for seven people to sleep but in the with the hot summer heat, most of the family slept outside to get the breeze. After moving into the cabin, the Rigneys lost their daughter which started the Rigney Cemetery, which is now the Stroud Cemetery.

At some point, the family sold 40 acres of the land. Most of the 40 acres were sold to Allied Oil Company so they could build their refinery and the rest was sold to another company. In 1960, the 120 acres that remained with the cabin was purchased by the step-dad of Randa Lea Hohweiler. He married her mother in 1972 and moved the family to the property. They tried to keep the cabin up and replaced the chimney to as close to original as possible. He passed away in 2013 and her mother wanted to sell the property. Randa Lea Hohweiler and her husband Gary decided to buy the property and move out there.

After the Hohweilers purchased the property, they started to work on the cabin, restoring it to its original glory days. They re-roofed the cabin and rebuilt the porch. The Hohweilers like to do Open Houses at the cabin because it is a piece of our history and is the oldest cabin in this state that is still intact.

On Nov 12, 2021, the Hohweilers will be having a special viewing for the teachers in the surrounding areas to bring their class by to hear the history of the cabin. If you would like to come see this piece of history for yourself, there is an Open House on Nov. 14, 2021 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The property is located in Stroud at 1005 East Elm Street. There will be several photo opportunities during the Open House like a pony with a sleigh and a cut out of the farmer and wife painting most are familiar with. The Hohweilers will also be doing tours of the cabin where you will learn all about its history. A canned food drive will be taking place as well. All food donated will go to the Stroud Food Pantry.