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What's a smokehouse? White County has at least one. Rock construction.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

rock smoke house old historic mcrae ar

Look at this lovely old rock building that I discovered at a property.  It is called a smokehouse.  I have heard of smokehouses all my life but was never in one that I remember and I have never understood them.  So I asked for permission to snap a picture and here it is.  I once wrote a blog about a pole barn and lots of people responded to it.  Click  https://activerain.com/droplet/cglb if you'd like to review it.

What I found interesting about this little house was windows. Or were they ever real windows?  On my google search I read that they didn't have windows.  I liked seeing the inside of the house as pictured below.  Wood.  So how'd they get the fire for the smoke?

 

            smoke house inside mcrae ar white county ar

And here is a close-up of one of the two windows.  Interesting?  Perhaps it is time to brush up on history and see how these things worked.  And are they still used?

 

smoke house rock old window white county ar

Show All Comments Sort:
Dick Betts
Dick Betts National Speaker - The Villages, FL
Realtor, Team Leader

Hi Barbara, you still doing the historic Searcy area I see?  Good for you, somebody has to keep the past present!

Aug 24, 2024 06:25 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

Wish I could go to another one of your meetings!  I miss being the "picked-on" one!!

Aug 25, 2024 05:21 AM
Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

This one hasn't been used or the walls would have been black from smoke. If you want to see a real smoke house in action, drive up to Coursey's Smoked Meats in St. Joe, AR. The best ever smoked ham, turkey, and bacon. 5 pounds of smoked bacon shipped to me in CA costs $95! I have done it twice since I've been back.

Here's their smoke house.

See their web  here.

Aug 24, 2024 06:28 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

Don, I need to try that!  I am going to research it!!

Aug 25, 2024 05:24 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Barbara - while I have heard the term "smokehouse" I didn't understand the origination.  Thank you for digging a bit deeper. Interesting.  

Aug 25, 2024 03:30 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I've never been in a smokehouse either but interesting comment from Don - perhaps that one was built but not used?

Aug 25, 2024 04:49 AM
Barbara S. Duncan

Don is an expert!  I liked the reply he sent to us.

Aug 25, 2024 05:26 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Barbara. Have heard much about smokehouses but never seen on up close. A big fan of smoked salmon and smoked turkey. Have a friend who has a smoker and try to visit at least once a year. Thanks for your post. Enjoy your day.

Aug 25, 2024 05:39 AM
Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

I think smokehouses are becoming rare because of environmental concerns. After all they put large quantities of smoke in the air. In the past, smokehouses were a way to preserve meat as well as give it a great flavor. Nowdays we use small smokers with wood chips providing a small amout of  smoke. I have a big red cajun smoker that i use for turkey, salmon, and ribs. I wil be smoking some ribs tomorrow.

Aug 25, 2024 08:41 AM
Barbara S. Duncan

Don, I wish you'd left off the last sentence.  I am now wishing I had a taste.  I can understand that smokehouses are a lost art. 

Aug 25, 2024 09:29 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

What a great looking little structure that is, Barbara.  I wouldn't mind having it in my backyard.

Aug 26, 2024 05:31 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

I like the rock structure.

Aug 27, 2024 05:12 AM