Jacob Lake Ranger Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jacob Lake Ranger Station
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The Jacob Lake Ranger Station, March 2010
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| Location | Jacob Lake, Arizona United States |
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| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Built by | United States Forest Service |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001151 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 1987 |
The Jacob Lake Ranger Station is a special historic building in Jacob Lake, Arizona. It was built by the U.S. Forest Service to help manage the nearby forests. This important station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized for its historical value.
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What is the Jacob Lake Ranger Station?
The Jacob Lake Ranger Station is a historic site that includes a cabin and a barn. These buildings are next to a fenced area that surrounds Jacob Lake. The U.S. Forest Service built this entire complex in 1910.
Why is Jacob Lake Ranger Station important?
Jacob Lake is a key spot because it's where roads meet, leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This made the ranger station a very busy place. It was the main contact point for people visiting the Kaibab National Forest. Forest rangers would meet visitors here and provide information. Later, a new visitor center was built nearby, but the ranger station remains a historic landmark.
What does the Ranger Station look like?
The main building is a cabin made of wood. It measures about 24 feet (7.3 meters) by 32 feet (9.8 meters). The cabin sits on a strong foundation made of limestone. Its walls are covered with a special type of wood siding called "board-and-batten." The roof is made of wood shakes. This cabin is the only one left in Kaibab National Forest with this original siding style.
The front of the cabin faces Jacob Lake. It has a porch with a sloped roof that runs along the entire side. This porch was once closed in, but it has been restored to look like it did originally. Inside the cabin, there are two rooms: a kitchen and a bedroom. Each room has its own door leading from the porch.
The barn is also a wooden building, about one-and-a-half stories tall. It also has the same board-and-batten siding. The barn's roof slopes in a unique way, like a "saltbox" lid. It's taller at the front and shorter at the back.
History of the Jacob Lake Ranger Station
The Jacob Lake Ranger Station was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 13, 1987. This recognition helps protect its historical importance.
How did the Ranger Station survive the Mangum Fire?
In June 2020, a large wildfire called the Mangum Fire spread through the area. The Jacob Lake Ranger Station was in danger of being destroyed by the flames. Luckily, firefighters worked hard to protect it, and the station narrowly escaped the fire. It's still standing today, a testament to its strong construction and the efforts of those who saved it.