If the settler had a plow or spade they would go to an area, perhaps a slough that had well‑rooted grass and plow strips of the virgin sod. Some of them would plow round and round in the area where the house would stand. He then cut the strips into two or three foot sections. These sections were then laid into walls about two or three feet thick. He would continue in this manner to a height of about six feet. If there were logs or boards available, they would build a frame and then place the sod over the frame. The roof was made of rough lumber and then covered with heavy tarpaper, slough grass and sod, or perhaps even shingles. Some used hay or rushes placed over branches. The size of the structure varied: such as 9 x 12, 6 x 6, 12 x 14, 14 x 16, etc.
The sodhouses proved to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They were also fairly safe from the prairie fires. Rains caused some problems, however, soaking through the roofs and dripping dirty water in the middle of the floors. Sometimes the only dry place was in the oven. Clocks were put there to keep them dry. Umbrellas were placed over the beds to keep the bedding from getting wet.
The walls were cut smooth with a spade, and then plastered with a mixture of clay and ashes, or gumbo. They might be covered with tarpaper, cotton sheeting, or layers of newspaper. Cats were a necessity to take care of the mice that found their way into the house.
Other homes were made of rough pine boards. Sometimes a man would be hired to build them. They could be bought for $2.50 to $5. The exterior was covered with tarpaper which was held in place with laths. Layer upon layer of newspapers helped to make it wind tight, but not very warm in sub‑zero weather.
Doors and windows were bought for about $4 at the railroad station. Few of the houses had two rooms, one for the family and one for the oxen. Sometimes the cow would wander on top of the roof to eat the lush grass and then would fall through breaking down the structure.
It took about nine days to construct the house. If a hillside were available on the land the house was dug into the hillside. It was a cellar home with a front wall of sod and a roof. Sod stables were also constructed for the livestock.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 51