Pella History / Scholte House Guide Lesson Plan

Pella Historical Review Section I-7

De Kolonie (The Colony)
Early Days of Pella

Late in the afternoon of August 26, 1847, the colonists arrived in what was to become Pella. The fifty cabins had not been built as promised although lumber was stacked for the purpose of building. Dugouts were the immediate solution to the housing problem, temporary shelter never intended for permanence (although some were occupied for several years). Most of the dugouts in Pella were the "half-dugout" type built partially above ground and partly dug into the soil and walled with sod or saplings. Some dugouts could be built into existing hillsides--these were called "broken country" dugouts. Both types were roofed with prairie grasses spread over a woven network of branches from young riverbank saplings. This area became known as "Strawtown". Primitive log cabins sheltered other settlers until more refined cabins or frame houses could be constructed. The Scholtes moved into a crude cabin purchased from Thomas Tuttle located on what is now the town's square, Central Park. Sixty-four lots were surveyed for the new town. Scholte gave the interesting names to the avenues that reflected the spirit of colonizing: Entrance, Inquiring, Perseverance, Reformation, Confidence, Expectation and Accomplishment. Streets were named Columbus, Washington, Franklin, Liberty, Union, Independence and Peace. The Americans who stayed helped the Dutch Settlers. Soon other colonists came form The Netherlands and Pella prospered.	straw house
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