During the archaeology excavations of the 1960s remnants of Old Town, the 19^th Century rural town which had grown up on and around colonial Bethabara, were removed to accommodate a future development of a historic site.

The so-called Pou house, which appeared to be a small clapboard Victorian house, complete with porch and gingerbread wood working, was slated for destruction also. But at the last moment the archaeologist removed some siding and discovered a log house beneath and launched a research controversy which has lasted to the present day.