Botten Cabin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Botten Cabin
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 Location in Washington (state)
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Port Angeles, Washington |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built by | Humes, Grant |
| MPS | Olympic National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000729 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 2007 |
The Botten Cabin, also known as the Wilder Patrol Cabin, is a historic log cabin built way back in 1929. It's nestled deep in the Elwha River valley, inside what is now Olympic National Park in Washington. This remote cabin was first built for a hunter named Henry H. Botten. Today, it's one of only two old private hunting camps still standing in the park.
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What is the Botten Cabin?
The Botten Cabin was originally a hunting cabin. It was built for Henry H. Botten, who used it until he passed away in 1953. Even after that, his wife continued to get special permits to use the cabin into the 1960s.
More recently, the National Park Service has used the cabin. They use it as a patrol cabin for rangers who work in the park's backcountry. This means it helps park rangers keep an eye on the wild areas.
Where is the Cabin Located?
The cabin is found in a very remote part of the Elwha River valley. This area became part of Olympic National Park in 1938. The park is a huge protected area in the state of Washington.
How Was the Cabin Built?
A local settler named Grant Humes built the cabin for Henry Botten. It was made from logs, which was a common way to build in the wilderness.
The cabin is a single story and measures about 11 feet (3.4 m) by 17 feet (5.2 m). It sits on a foundation made of stacked stones without mortar. This is called a dry-laid rubblestone foundation.
What Makes the Cabin Special?
The way the logs are joined at the corners is quite unique. They use a method called "dovetail-notched corners," which is known for being very strong and well-made.
The cabin has a pointed, or "gabled," roof. This roof extends out over one end to create a small porch. The roof is covered with wood shingles. There used to be a longer porch along one side, but it was damaged by a falling tree and had to be removed. Some of the cabin's original furniture is still inside today.
Why is the Cabin Historic?
The Botten Cabin is important because it shows how people lived and hunted in the wilderness long ago. It's one of the last remaining examples of private hunting camps in Olympic National Park.
Because of its history and unique construction, the Botten Cabin was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 13, 2007. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the cabin for future generations.
