Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Bernd das Brot Team
N 36° 44.929 W 118° 58.302
11S E 323980 N 4068820
First house in America's deepest Canyon
Waymark Code: WM3TBF
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 05/15/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member silverquill
Views: 33
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In 1870, Franco-Canadian homesteaders Thomas and Israel Gamlin came west from Vermont and attempted a squatter's claim on a 160 acre section in Grant Grove.

From 1870 to 1872, they lived in a hollow tree and from 1872 to 1878, they lived in this cabin, grazing cattle in the mountains. This makes this cabin the first permanent settlement in Kings Canyon.

Since it was first built, the cabin has been moved and reconstructed three times. Originally, it was built from sugar pine, which is subject to decay when infested with termites. To preserve the cabin, a concrete foundation was constructed in 1978. At the same time the lower logs were replaced with termite-resistant giant sequoia.

After the Gamlin brothers left, the cabin has served a variety of uses, including a storage for the U.S. Cavalry, a ranger station and residence of the first park ranger, Mr. Lewis L. Davis from 1902-09. From 1892 to 1932 it was actually relocated near to the Grand Grove Visitors Center, but after a tree fell on it in 1932, it was brought back to its original place. In 1977, it was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places.

Definitely a room with a view!

Street address:
Kings Canyon National Park

County / Borough / Parish: Fresno

Year listed: 1977

Historic (Areas of) Significance: First homestead in this part of the country

Periods of significance: 1872-1878

Historic function: Homestead

Current function: empty

Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2008 To: 12/31/2008

Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM

Primary Web Site: [Web Link]

Privately owned?: Not Listed

Secondary Website 1: Not listed

Secondary Website 2: Not listed

National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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michwada visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 02/20/2018 michwada visited it
ToRo61 visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 11/12/2017 ToRo61 visited it
Markerman62 visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 09/30/2015 Markerman62 visited it
FlipperFamily visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 07/01/2014 FlipperFamily visited it
Bush-Rescue visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 03/31/2014 Bush-Rescue visited it
merlot visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 03/17/2014 merlot visited it
shell1fish visited Gamlin Cabin, Kings Canyon, California 06/10/2011 shell1fish visited it

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