This early and rare photographic image depicts the 1857 log cabin home of Eliphus Hibbard and Lucy Jane Rogers at what eventually became 236 East Military Avenue in Fremont, Nebraska. It is an example of pre-railroad, Folk-type architecture. The cabin is a two story structure. Details of the cabin are largely obscured by the trees as well as by the quality of the image. The cottonwood logs have chinking between them and the roof appears to be shingled. A metal pipe which is leaning to the left serves as the chimney. The property is protected from roving livestock by the plank fence which surrounds it. Several well established trees including some native cedar trees shelter the home from sun and wind. The blurred human figures posed near the front gate must be members of the Rogers family. There appears to be a frame construction privy or outhouse just to the left of the cabin. Native grasses are growing in front of the home.
This rather primitive photographic image is the earliest known Fremont photograph in existence. It is an early copy of a Carte de Visite photograph and the original mounting card with its lined border is visible in the image. The original photograph was likely created by Fremont's first photographer, Henry Fish. The copy is undoubtedly the work of Fremont's second photographer, A.C. Hull and dates from the 1870s.
