Death Canyon Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Death Canyon Barn
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Nearest city | Moose, Wyoming |
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Built | 1945 |
Architectural style | National Park Service Rustic |
MPS | Grand Teton National Park MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 98001024 |
Added to NRHP | August 25, 1998 |
The Death Canyon Barn is a special building in Grand Teton National Park. It was built to be a barn, but it also served as a cabin for park rangers. This historic log building is located in Death Canyon, right on the Death Canyon Trail. It was built a long time ago, in 1935.
The barn was constructed by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. Young men worked on important projects across the country. They built parks and roads, and helped with conservation. The Death Canyon Barn was built in a style called National Park Service rustic. This style uses natural materials like logs and stone. It helps buildings blend in with the beautiful park scenery.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Barn
This log building has a story of changing uses. It was designed by experts from the National Park Service. When it was first built in 1935, it was used as a barn. It helped with park operations in the remote canyon.
From Barn to Ranger Cabin
By 1945, the barn's purpose changed. The CCC program ended, and the park needed a new plan. The barn was turned into a patrol cabin. This meant park rangers could use it as a base. They would stay there while working on trails. It helped them keep the park safe and maintained. For a short time in the 1950s, it even served as a seasonal ranger station.
Cool Design: How the Barn Was Built
The Death Canyon Barn is a great example of rustic park architecture. It's made of strong logs. The corners of the logs are carefully joined together. This is called "saddle-notched." The barn sits on a sturdy stone foundation. The stone base is extra strong at the corners. This helps support the heavy log walls.
Inside the Barn
The barn originally had a big door for animals. Now, that space has windows and a regular door. Inside, there's a large main room. There's also a smaller room. This room was once for horse gear. Today, it's used to store tools for park work.
The upper part of the barn, called the loft, was once for hay. Now, it's a sleeping area for rangers. You can see the log beams that hold up the roof. This shows how strong and natural the building is. The barn also has a special box to keep food safe from animals. A propane stove helps keep it warm. Outside, there's an old corral. This fenced area is still part of the barn's history.
The Death Canyon Barn is an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 25, 1998. This means it's recognized as a special place in American history.