Historic Pennsylvania Log Cabin Listed for $62,500 With Fishing Creek Views

A traditional log cabin overlooking a creek, surrounded by mature trees, and featuring a substantial stone fireplace can offer a very different experience from a conventional modern home. For buyers seeking a rustic seasonal retreat, a property at 73 School House Road, Benton, Pennsylvania 17814, presents an opportunity to explore that lifestyle.

Listed for $62,500, the cabin was reportedly built in 1939 and contains approximately 384 square feet of interior space on a 0.48-acre parcel. Its features include exposed log walls, a covered front porch, a sleeping loft, a wood-burning fireplace, and a simple kitchen with traditional details.

The property overlooks Fishing Creek and is described as being near State Game Lands, potentially appealing to buyers who enjoy outdoor recreation. However, it is not equipped like a conventional modern residence. The listing reports no indoor bathroom, an outdoor hand pump for water, an outhouse, and wood-based heating.

Those features may suit someone searching for a simple hunting camp or seasonal getaway. Buyers seeking year-round residential comfort will need to consider the limitations, potential upgrades, and local requirements carefully.

Property Overview

The cabin combines historic construction with a small parcel in a wooded setting. Here are the main details provided in the listing:

• Asking price: $62,500
• Address: 73 School House Road, Benton, PA 17814
• Year built: 1939
• Interior size: Approximately 384 square feet
• Bedrooms: 1 listed, with an additional sleeping loft
• Bathrooms: 0 listed
• Lot size: Approximately 0.48 acres
• Construction: Traditional log cabin
• Heating: Wood
• Fireplace: Stone wood-burning fireplace
• Electricity: Reported upgraded 100-amp service
• Water: Outdoor hand pump
• Toilet facilities: Outhouse
• Additional structure: Shed
• Setting: Overlooking Fishing Creek, near State Game Lands
• Annual property taxes: Reported at approximately $899
• Listing date: October 19, 2026, according to the supplied information

Property details and availability should be confirmed with the listing agent before any purchase decision.

Traditional Log Construction and Historic Character

One of the cabin’s most distinctive features is its traditional log construction. Exposed timber walls, red-painted trim, a covered front porch, and a stone foundation give the exterior a classic woodland appearance.

Built in 1939, the cabin offers a different atmosphere from newer properties designed to imitate rustic architecture. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, age, and connection to the surrounding landscape.

The covered porch provides an outdoor sitting area where owners could enjoy the scenery and spend time outside during suitable weather. The surrounding trees and creek setting add to the property’s seasonal character.

However, the age and construction type make a thorough inspection particularly important. Buyers should evaluate the condition of the logs, joints, foundation, roof, porch supports, and other exposed timber. Moisture intrusion, insect damage, and deterioration between logs can create repair needs that may not be obvious in listing photographs.

Preserving an older log cabin can be rewarding, but the cost depends heavily on its existing condition and the availability of appropriate repair materials and skilled labor.

A Cozy Living Area With a Stone Fireplace

The main living space reportedly measures approximately 240 square feet and features exposed log walls, a vaulted wooden ceiling, rustic beams, and a substantial stone fireplace.

The fireplace forms the visual centerpiece of the room, reinforcing the cabin’s traditional character. The supplied description also mentions a separate wood-burning heating appliance in the living area.

These features may appeal to someone who prefers a simple cabin atmosphere rather than a contemporary interior with extensive modern finishes.

Still, buyers should not assume that the fireplace or any other wood-burning appliance is safe to use without inspection. A qualified professional should evaluate the chimney, flue, hearth, clearances, and ventilation before the appliances are operated.

The listing identifies wood as the heating source. Prospective owners should confirm whether any additional heating equipment exists and determine whether the cabin can maintain safe indoor temperatures during the seasons in which they plan to use it.

A Traditional Kitchen and Dining Area

The kitchen is described as measuring approximately 132.76 square feet, with an eating area and an antique cook stove. Photographs reportedly show wood-paneled walls, exposed beams, red-and-white checked curtains, a refrigerator, cooking appliances, and a dining table with red chairs.

The arrangement reflects the cabin’s rustic style rather than the layout of a typical modern kitchen. For a buyer who values traditional details and uncomplicated seasonal living, that may be part of its attraction.

The listing identifies a refrigerator and stove or range among the appliances. Buyers should confirm whether these items are included in the sale, whether they work, and whether the electrical and other connections are safe.

The presence of cooking appliances does not establish that the kitchen meets current residential requirements. Anyone intending to modernize the space should investigate the cost of improvements and any applicable permit requirements.

Sleeping Loft With Additional Sleeping Space

Although the property is listed as having one bedroom, the supplied description and photographs indicate an upper sleeping loft furnished with two single beds.

The loft sits beneath a sloping wooden roof, making efficient use of the cabin’s compact footprint. It could provide additional sleeping space for occasional guests, depending on the layout and applicable safety requirements.

Access reportedly involves a steep, ladder-style staircase. Buyers should examine the stability of the steps, available headroom, guardrails, and emergency escape arrangements. They should also verify whether the loft is approved for sleeping use and whether it meets any applicable building standards.

The presence of beds does not automatically mean that the loft qualifies as a legal bedroom. Anyone planning to accommodate guests regularly should assess the space’s safety and suitability before relying on it as sleeping accommodation.

Fishing Creek and the Surrounding Woodland

The outdoor setting is one of the property’s main attractions. The cabin is described as overlooking Fishing Creek, with wooded grounds, mature trees, stone landscaping, and a covered porch.

A small swing and a separate shed are also mentioned in the supplied description. Together, these features could support a quiet seasonal retreat focused on outdoor recreation and relaxation.

The parcel measures approximately 0.48 acres, so buyers should keep the property’s relatively modest size in mind when considering privacy, outdoor activities, storage, or future improvements.

A creekside location also warrants additional due diligence. Buyers should check the property’s flood-zone designation, any history of flooding, streambank stability, drainage conditions, and restrictions that may affect construction or land use.

The listing’s reference to Fishing Creek does not establish ownership of the creek bed, private fishing rights, or unrestricted access to the water. Property boundaries, easements, and any relevant water-related rights should be confirmed independently.

Near State Game Lands and Outdoor Recreation

The listing highlights the cabin’s proximity to State Game Lands, which may be attractive to people interested in hunting, hiking, wildlife observation, and other outdoor activities.

Public recreational land nearby can expand the range of activities available to a cabin owner, but buyers should confirm the location of the nearest access points and review the applicable Pennsylvania Game Commission rules.

State Game Lands are separate from the privately owned 0.48-acre parcel described in the listing. Their proximity does not give the property owner control over public land or guarantee access for any particular activity.

Anyone purchasing the cabin primarily for hunting or other recreation should also consider seasonal access, road conditions, parking, and any rules governing the intended use.

Electricity, Water, and Sanitation

Although the cabin has some modern infrastructure, its facilities remain basic.

Electricity

The supplied listing reports an upgraded 100-amp electrical service, and an exterior photograph reportedly shows an electric meter.

That service could be useful for lighting and basic appliances, but its current status and safety should be verified. An electrician should inspect the panel, wiring, grounding, and other components before the electrical system is relied upon.

Buyers should also confirm whether electricity is active and determine whether the service is sufficient for any planned upgrades.

Water Supply

The cabin reportedly has an outdoor hand pump. Before purchasing, buyers should establish the source of the water, determine whether the pump works, and arrange appropriate water-quality testing if the supply is intended for drinking or household use.

The presence of a hand pump does not guarantee a dependable or potable water supply. If the buyer wants indoor plumbing, the feasibility and cost of installing it will depend on the source, site conditions, and applicable requirements.

Bathroom and Wastewater Facilities

The listing reports zero bathrooms and identifies an outhouse. Buyers should therefore not assume that the cabin includes an indoor toilet, shower, or conventional bathroom.

Installing indoor plumbing could require additional work involving the water supply, wastewater disposal, plumbing fixtures, and permits. The feasibility of a septic system or another approved wastewater solution should be investigated with the appropriate local authorities before any purchase is based on that plan.

The condition and legality of the existing outhouse and any associated waste-disposal arrangement should also be verified.

What Should Buyers Know About the Cabin’s Condition?

Photographs can show the cabin’s character, but they cannot establish whether the structure is sound or the utilities are safe.

Given the property’s age, buyers should arrange a thorough inspection that considers:

• The condition of the logs, joints, roof, and foundation.
• Signs of moisture intrusion, rot, insect damage, or mold.
• The stability of the porch and exterior steps.
• The condition of the chimney and wood-burning appliances.
• Electrical safety and the status of the 100-amp service.
• The water source, pump, and water quality.
• The outhouse and any wastewater arrangements.
• The shed, access route, drainage, and potential flood exposure.

A professional experienced with older log structures may be particularly helpful. If the buyer plans to make significant changes, contractor estimates and advice from local permitting authorities can help establish what is practical.

Is the $62,500 Asking Price Reasonable?

At the reported asking price of $62,500 and an interior area of 384 square feet, the cabin’s simple asking-price calculation is approximately $163 per square foot.

That number alone does not establish whether the property is fairly priced. The asking price also reflects the land, historic log construction, creekside setting, and potential appeal as a seasonal retreat. At the same time, the lack of an indoor bathroom, basic water facilities, and possible maintenance needs may narrow the pool of interested buyers.

The reported annual property tax of $899 averages about $75 per month. Buyers should confirm the current tax bill and determine whether the amount could change following a transfer or reassessment.

Financing and insurance may also differ from those available for a conventional residence. Buyers should explain the property’s actual facilities and intended seasonal or year-round use to prospective lenders and insurers before assuming coverage or financing will be available.

The full cost of ownership should include any required repairs, inspections, insurance, taxes, utility expenses, and improvements needed to make the cabin suitable for the intended use.

Who Might Consider This Pennsylvania Cabin?

The property may appeal to buyers looking for a traditional hunting camp, a rustic seasonal getaway, or a small woodland retreat where outdoor surroundings matter more than modern conveniences.

Its fireplace, log construction, sleeping loft, and creekside setting give it a distinctive character. For someone who specifically wants a basic cabin, those features may be more important than the absence of a conventional bathroom.

On the other hand, the property may be unsuitable for buyers who need a move-in-ready home, accessible sleeping arrangements, indoor plumbing, or dependable year-round comfort.

Anyone considering short-term rentals or another commercial use should first confirm zoning, sanitation requirements, occupancy standards, insurance eligibility, and any applicable local restrictions.

Questions to Ask Before Making an Offer

Before proceeding, prospective buyers should obtain clear answers to several important questions:

1. Is the cabin legally approved for seasonal use, and can it be occupied year-round?
2. What is the source of the hand-pump water, and is the pump functional?
3. What approved wastewater or outhouse arrangement is currently in place?
4. Is the property in a designated flood zone, and has it experienced flooding?
5. Are the roof, chimney, foundation, and log walls in sound condition?
6. Is the electrical service active and safe?
7. Can an indoor bathroom be installed, and what approvals would be required?
8. Are the refrigerator, stove, furniture, and other contents included in the sale?
9. What are the precise parcel boundaries and legal access arrangements?
10. Are there restrictions on renovations, additions, or changes to the cabin’s use?

The supplied listing indicates that the property is being sold with its contents. The exact items included should be documented in the purchase agreement rather than assumed from photographs.

Final Thoughts on the Benton, Pennsylvania, Log Cabin

Listed at $62,500, this 1939 log cabin offers a distinctive combination of rustic architecture, a stone fireplace, a sleeping loft, and a setting overlooking Fishing Creek. Its proximity to State Game Lands may add to its appeal for buyers who enjoy outdoor recreation.

However, its basic facilities are a central part of the buying decision. The outdoor hand pump, outhouse, wood heating, and lack of an indoor bathroom mean that the property offers a very different experience from a conventional home.

For someone who understands those limitations and wants a seasonal retreat, the cabin may be worth investigating. For a buyer seeking modern residential comfort, the cost and feasibility of upgrades could change the equation considerably.

The best next step is to confirm the current listing details, inspect the structure and utilities, investigate flood and land-use restrictions, and determine whether the property can legally serve the intended purpose.

This article is for informational purposes only. The property details are based on the supplied listing information and have not been independently verified. This is not an appraisal, inspection report, or financial recommendation.

View the original property listing:
73 School House Rd, Benton, PA 17814 – Zillow