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Civil War-era Idaho cabin moved, reconstructed and repoened in North Bingham Historical Park |
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Thursday, 30 July 2009 |
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By Leslie Mielke SHELLEY — Bingham County Commissioners and more than 60 members of the Grove City Sons of the Utah Pioneers were on hand last week to celebrate the opening of the historic Kirckpatrick cabin, the latest addition to the North Bingham County Historical Park.  The Morning News / Leslie Mielke
Grove City Sons of Utah Pioneers Past President Rulon Hillam points out the well used tools found in the Kirkpatrick cabin. Hillam and SUP member Ted Cook spearheaded the restoration of this building.
Research indicated the bunkhouse was one of the first buildings to have been built in Bingham County. The building was built as a way station. It was thought to have been used by Pony Express riders and “drovers” who were the 19th century version of the teamsters. These men drove the oxen teams that were used by the freighters to carry goods westward.
Initially, SUP members thought the bunkhouse could be moved in one piece, however, the building was too fragile for such a move. Almost 150 years later, the bunkhouse was suffering from age. The roof leaked and one side of the bottom row of logs had rotted away.
Having decided to dismantle it, each log was numbered according to its placement in the building. Even the compass directions were maintained; the east wall of the bunkhouse is still the east wall at the historical park. After the bunkhouse was dismantled, it was moved and reassembled log by log in the historical park. The rotten log was replaced and the square nails that were used to put the original building together were replaced with more conventional nails.
In assembling the cabin, the crossbeams and trusses for the roof were cut from pine trees growing on the side of the building.
The cupboard and bed found in the bunkhouse were refurbished and now stand where where they were found in the bunkhouse.
China and tools found in the bunkhouse are also on display in the cabin.
SUP members Rulon Hillam and Ted Cook spearheaded this project. It took 19 men nine days to dismantle, move, reassemble and shingle this cabin. Over 1,000 hours of manpower were contributed to this project.
Bingham County contributed about $8,500 worth of material to this project through the Bingham County Parks and Recreation department, said Craig Rowland, Bingham County Parks and Recreation Director.
The county’s money went into the concrete pad, building materials and the cabin’s shingles, Rowland said.
Rowland also worked on this project on his own time. “That was just for fun,” he said.
Speaking about the cabin, SUP member Richard Lindsay said, “This is a great work that’s gone before us.”
“We are dedicating this cabin in hopes that it will be a blessing to our future posterity,” Lindsay said. “Hopefully, coming generations will become pioneers in their own right.”
Buildings in the historical park include the Kirkpatrick cabin, the Aldridge School, a general store, barn, teepee and mine. The buildings are locked but they can be viewed through their windows at any time.
To arrange a tour that opens up the whole park, contact Mike or Jackie Winston at 357-5869. The tour cost is $10 for groups up to 24 people. For groups of 25 or more people, the cost is $25.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 31 July 2009 )
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