Chinook originates from the Chinookan tribe who lived in plank houses. The houses are described as a “rectangular post-and-beam structure with planks for cladding and roofing." These plank houses were very large often exceeding 50 feet in width and 90 feet in length. They were used for gatherings, cooking, drying and serving food. With multiple hearths, roasting on cedar or maple planks was a common occurrence in the plank houses.

This video is a great example of what plank houses looked like.