Root Cellars

(construction and usage)

There were approximately six to eight root cellars on

the hillside in the village. Each major family structure

had a cellar. This meant one cellar might be used by three

or four families. Root cellars in Ninilchik were usually built

on the hillside. A hole was dug down in the ground about

8 feet deep and 8x8 or 10x10 feet in diameter.

They were cribbed (framed) and beamed across the top

with logs. The ceiling was then covered

with logs to form a roof or base

for the hatch. Logs not only prevented the cellar

from caving in but allowed something to be

nailed to the sides and ceiling.

Generally it was like building a cabin under the

surface of the hill. The floor was made of packed down

and leveled out soil. Shelves and bins were made of

logs or planks for storing vegetables. Over the top of the

ceiling an opening was framed and a trap door was

attached. A small log structure about three

feet square and three logs high was built around

the trap door. The outer structure had another

door. The roof was usually made like a

chalet extending about one foot out on all four sides

of the exposed logs and the trap door to prevent snow

and water from building up and seeping in.

Inside the structure, fresh hay was placed, over

the trap door and any ceiling logs that were

exposed to the open air, for insulation. During

the winter months, fresh snow

was banked over the building for further insulation.

. When something was needed a person

crawled into to the outer building, pushed the hay

aside and lifted the trap door. He climbed down the crude

stairs (boards with logs or planks across and almost

vertical to the walls). Occasionally root cellars

were built under a cabin

(belonging to families like the Kelly's or

Jackinsky's who had second homes or ranches away

from the village). There was a problem with

this construction. If the house was left

vacant and unheated the contents would

freeze, because there was no hay to insulate the

trap door and exposed logs. Sometimes frost

would form clear through the ceiling of these cellars.

Another important factor was drainage.

On the hillside the elements made for natural

drainage and water did not seep in. On flat ground

the spring thaw filled the cellar base with water.

The men carried items in buckets and gunnysacks

to and from the cellar for the ladies because it

was hard work going up and down the

hillside. In the summer the women cleaned the

cellar, removing the old hay and vegetables. The old

potatoes were used for planting. The women did all the

stocking of the Root cellar. Potatoes, carrots

(sometimes stored in bins of sand), and turnips

were placed in bins or on shelves. Cabbages were pulled

from the ground with the root and outer leaves

attached and tied with hayrope from the ceiling

by the root. (This caused many children to dislike the

bitter flavor the cabbage developed over the winter

when it was used in soups and stews). Sometimes

salted fish, mushrooms, and moose were placed in

barrels and stored in the cellar. Other items such as

salted chives, preserved berries as well as canned

goods and anything you didn't want to freeze

were placed in the cellars. In the fall the

trap was again covered with fresh hay. About

once every week or two the men or boys

boys would go to the cellar and bring back as

many supplies as the family could safely store

somewhat like you do at the market today.

George Jackinsky can still visualize the young lads

on cardboard or moose or bear hides or anything

else that was handy, sliding down the icy hill with a fifty

pound gunnysack full of potatoes.

This recollection is a joint recollection

of George Jackinsky and Bobbie Oskolkoff.

It is an example of how the different memories

can be joined together to collect more accurate data.

This page may change from time to

time as we remember more facts.

copyrite@1999