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Institutional and Private LibrariesLibrary%u2014%u2014Limberlost, home of Gene Stratton-Porter%u2014%u2014Geneva, IndianaBuilt in 1895, Stratton-Porter%u2019s family lived here until 1913 when they moved to Rome City. Now an Indiana State Memorial.Born in 1863 near Wabash, Indiana, naturalist, photographer, and novelist Gene Stratton-Porter lived in at least ten different homes during her lifetime. One of the best known is the Limberlost Cabin, located in Geneva, Indiana, near what had been the 13,000-acre Limberlost Swamp, which was the setting for two of Gene%u2019s most famous novels, Freckles, and A Girl of the Limberlost. With the help of an architect, Gene and her husband Charles (a druggist) started construction on their rustic Limberlost Cabin in 1894, which was completed the following year. With two-stories and 14 rooms, it was much bigger than what most people would consider a cabin. Truly a large home, it was built of Wisconsin white-cedar logs, with a red shingled roof. One writer described it as %u201cthe most pretentious dwelling in the Geneva area.%u201d With a wrap-around porch, it had elements of both Arts and Crafts and Queen Anne-styling. The spacious interior had a great deal of wood paneling, and several fireplaces. The family lived there for 18 years, until 1913.Sadly, Limberlost Swamp was drained for agricultural use between 1888 and 1910, destroying much of the flora and fauna described in Gene%u2019s books. As she became a well-known author, the near constant attention from local fans was too much to endure. The loss of her beloved swamp, and the endless distractions of admirers led the Stratton-Porters to purchase land on Sylvan Lake, in Rome City, in 1912. There, they once again built a house of their dreams. When they first moved in, Charles continued to work and live in Geneva, and commuted to Sylvan Lake on the weekends. They called their new home Wildflower Woods, and they remained there until the desecration of the surrounding area was no longer bearable. At that point, they left Indiana for good, and moved to California, where Gene died in 1924.Today, Limberlost Cabin is an Indiana State Historic Site, and open to the public. Some of StrattonPorter%u2019s possessions are on display there, including her collection of mounted moths, household furnishings, and other memorabilia.