DCHP-1 Online

plank house

• among Coast Indians, a long rectangular communal dwelling, built of cedar, housing several families, and used at times for ceremonial affairs. [See picture at plank house.]

  See also: longhouse (def. 2)  ranch ((2)) ((n.)) ( def. 2a)  rancherie (def. 2)  ranch-house ((2)) (def. 1)  

  • 1952  My information on Stalo plank-house types adds very little that is new to our knowledge. . . .
  • 1955  Each Bella Coola village contained from two to twenty plank houses built in a row facing the water front; and each house sheltered from two to ten families.