Housing in America through the centuries has been a mixture. Shelter, shelter, shelter was the priority for the first European settlers.
Abundant wood supply led much to be built of this material. Settlers would perhaps start with a “lean” open on one side. In most regions, a proper cabin soon followed. Of course, cabins varied. Dog trot was rather like a duplex — with a breezeway between the two portions. Many included a loft for additional sleeping space.
Now, how to have the children assigned to sleep in the loft get up and down? A ladder was the first solution. I’ve seen them akin to climbing the wall with a few rungs for assistance. When room allowed, steps were constructed.
These, not fancy, but functional, were in many modest homes in the mid-19th century. A person could actually carry a basket or box in their arms as they went up and down.
Can you imagine yourself, or your children, darting up and down these stairs several times a day?
In the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, the newly reconstructed dress shop living quarters has similar steps. A great improvement over the steeper, narrower stairs destroyed in a summer fire. Guess the calico cat’s favorite place to watch her humans?
Here’s a link to the book: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh
