{"nrhp_refnum":"78002426","name":"Shelter House","other_names":[],"category":"building","location":{"address":"S. 4th St.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Emmaus","county":"Lehigh County","state":"PA","lat":40.53057787500006,"lon":-75.48476354299999,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1978-02-17","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Exploration/Settlement","Architecture"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A medieval-type log building in Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, constructed in 1734 along an Indian path crossing the Lehigh or South Mountain ridge. It is described as the oldest standing log building in Lehigh County.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the building is an important local landmark and an exceptional example of early Germanic log construction. It served as a stopover and later a tavern offering lodging, food and drink for travelers. Its features, including the center chimney, random-width gable boards and exposed log exterior, are described as early construction that has nearly disappeared.","narrative":"Built in 1734 along a well-traveled Indian path that crossed the Lehigh or South Mountain ridge, the Shelter House is a long, low log building roughly 40 by 25 feet, erected in two sections. The larger center chimney section was built by the Kratzer and Giering families in 1734, and a one-bay gable addition followed in 1741. Its exposed, trimmed horizontal logs are chinked with masonry, and the protruding timbers at eave level are visibly pegged, a feature shared with Ephrata Cloister. The building is regarded as the oldest standing log building in Lehigh County. After Emmaus was founded in 1761, it operated as a hostel and tavern where travelers could find lodging, food and drink. Some original woodwork and fireplaces survive inside, although the interior has been altered over time. Its center chimney, random-width gable boards and exposed log surfaces make it an excellent example of 18th century German log construction.","period_of_significance":"1734, 1741 settlement","architect_builder":"Kratzer and Giering families (construction of the center chimney section)","architectural_style":"Medieval type log building; 18th century German log house","criteria":[],"status_note":"Preservation work was recently completed, including a hand-split wood shingle roof and restoration of window frames and sash.","vacant_flag":null,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-haiku-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.1-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 17:11:30.757218-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_PA/78002426.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78002426/2016c980b9-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/78002426/2016c980b9-1600.webp","licence":"CC0","author":"Smallbones","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shelter_House_Emmaus_PA_2.JPG\" rel=\"noopener\">Smallbones</a>, <a href=\"http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shelter_House_Emmaus_PA_2.JPG"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71995467","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelter_House","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15277129"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/pennsylvania/lehigh-county/shelter-house-78002426/"}