Tucked away at the edge of the woods behind modern homes in Apollo is a 170-year-old cabin that stands as a reminder of the borough's earliest days. Drake Log Cabin was built around 1848, about 30 years after Apollo was founded in 1816. The one-room cabin was among the first homesteads. “This very land we stand on today was among the (50) original plots of land that was the beginning of Apollo,� said local historian and former Apollo Mayor William Kerr, chairman of the Apollo Bicentennial Committee. As the borough celebrates its 200th anniversary, the Apollo Area Historical Society held a rededication ceremony Saturday for the borough's oldest structure. About 30 people attended. “I am such a lover of history, and I think it's fantastic for us to be able to do this,� said Denise Flickinger, president of the historical society. The cabin was first dedicated on Sept. 19, 1971. Saturday's program mirrored that of the original dedication, with patriotic music played by Apollo High School band students and the crowd joining in to sing “America the Beautiful� and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.� Kerr said he has fond memories of the first dedication ceremony. “It's a vivid memory because of Apollo people coming together to celebrate the past, but still having the faith and outlook for the future of the community,� the former mayor said. Drake Cabin is named after its first known resident, Sarah Drake, who bought it in 1862. At less than 400 square feet, the home is tiny by today's standards. The ceiling is just under 6 feet high. When the historical society began to restore the cabin in 1971, damage from vandalism had to be cleaned up, additions were removed, including a porch that was not original to the home, and long wooden beams were hauled in to replace ones that had deteriorated. Today the historical society cares for the cabin. It has set up time-period appropriate furniture, including a bed, tables and a kitchen area. Just as it was nearly 200 years ago, the cabin does not have running water or electricity. Eric Bloom of Apollo, with Boy Scout Troop 589, said his troop toured the cabin a few weeks ago and some of the boys helped clean up debris around the site in preparation for the weekend rededication. “It's amazing,� Bloom said of the cabin. “I think the architecture is neat as well as the history of it.� During his keynote speech, Kerr praised the historical society members for their dedication to preserving the borough's history. “Our borough is rich in community history and tradition,� he said, “and is one in which our residents greatly value the historical aspects of a small town in America.� Jodi Weigand is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-226-4702 or jweigand@tribweb.com. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.