The Sac and Fox Indians typically lived in earth lodges. These were large, dome-shaped structures made from a frame of saplings covered with bark or thatch. The lodges were typically about 15 to 30 feet in diameter and could house up to 20 people. The doorways of the lodges were usually covered with a flap made from animal hide. The lodges were also built with a smoke hole at the top to let out the smoke from the fire.
The construction of earth lodges required a considerable amount of work and cooperation. The men would first harvest the saplings and build the frame of the lodge. The women would then gather bark or thatch to cover the frame. The lodges were typically built in a circular shape and had a central fireplace. The Sac and Fox Indians often built their earth lodges in clusters of two or three, with a central plaza in between.
Earth lodges were well-suited to the climate of the Great Plains. They provided shelter from the wind and cold in the winter, and they were also cool and airy in the summer. Earth lodges were also easy to build and repair, and they could be moved easily if necessary.
The Sac and Fox Indians lived in earth lodges for centuries. However, they began to abandon them in the 19th century as they were forced to move to reservations. Many Sac and Fox Indians today live in modern homes.