A Little Background on The Cabin

A few people have asked for more information about the cabin, and for more pictures. I will do the best I can with what I've learned so far. I promise more pictures, I had to wait for the ice to melt so I could actually make it down there.

The Cabin

Below is a picture of the cabin from the summer of 2010. Our first summer owning the property. The cabin is essentially located 150 feet below the ridge our house sits on down in a valley, next to Blair Creek. Getting things down there isn't the easiest, but contrary to this picture we were able to get a lawn mower down there and did get the yard cleaned up.

Now that we have met some of our neighbors we have gotten some of the history of the cabin. We were told by the prior owners that it was an old hunting cabin built in the early 1900's. Which makes the cabin a brand new building compared to our house, which was built in the 1820's. Aside from our cabin, 3 others were constructed in the general creek area by the owners of the tannery building. Our neighbors to the south live in what was the Tannery building, and have 2 fireplace remnants still standing on their property from 2 of the cabins (See picture below). I've included a picture of the fireplace in our cabin.

Our cabin isn't in "great" condition and according to tax records it is dilapidated. I like to think we can make it so much more special than it already is. At this point, we need to just make sure it doesn't fall into further disrepair. And while it needs work, water and electricity, it is actually in decent shape considering no one lives in it.

You enter through the front door into a large open room that is home to the fireplace. To the back and to the left is a small bathroom and to the back right is a kitchen, which has a door out the back of the cabin, as well.

Yes, There is a bathroom...

It needs help.

It's on the list... I plan to do some cleanup this spring and at least get the windows sparkling and clean the brush and trees from around the immediate area of the foundation and roof. There is nothing better than sitting on the front porch of the cabin with the creek flowing in front of you, not being able to see another house or person. It instantly transcends you to another world.

Lights, Camera, Angles..

Ahh, when I see this picture I instantly begin to unwind and destress. Part of the reason we picked this house was because it came with the cabin. I may love the cabin more than the house actually. I do believe I kept saying over and over, but it has a cabin and a stream, who cares about the house. So when I see it all snow covered, I instantly transport myself to Walden Pond or some other idyllic setting. Lucky for my, I only have to walk down 100 stairs, and on this particular day ALOT of ice and snow, but all the same, this is in my very own backyard.

In loving old houses and cabins one of the great things is the cool (and sometimes not so cool) things that you discover. Below is the door handle to the front door of the cabin. To me, it's ridiculously fascinating, but I'm a dork.

I took this to show how diverse the cabin is in structure. Notice the clapboard ceiling, the log pole and the cool light fixture. What you can't see are the slate porch floors which add even more character. You may see work, or old or crap, my eyes gloss over and I see cool old cabin.

And these! Oh there is a pair of these amazing light fixtures on the front of the cabin. No electric down there, but how wonderful these must have looked all lit up and welcoming. Now they are home to some birds, but still give the place some personality.

Gah, I love my cabin.

How does one get to this cabin?

You take the bridge across the creek.

How do you get to the bridge??

Down the LONG winding concrete staircase.


Remember this was in February.

So there's less moss and leaves. And somehow it isn't nearly as dangerous as this picture makes it out to be. We go down there often. On the list of projects...clean up the stairs a little more. Oh and fix the 1-2 spots where the railing is compromised.