Bodkin Cabin Traditional Cache
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Here is what we got off the USFS web site on this Cabin
It was a warm August morning when the crew of Engine 34, Log Springs Station, Mendocino National Forest, set about stabilizing the Bodkin Cabin for future restoration. Bodkin Cabin has a long and rich history encompassing the life of Mendocino National Forest. The carved graffiti tell a long story of occupants and visitors.
[Outdoor photo]: Historic Bodkin Cabin leaning sideways before restoration. Activate this link to view a larger version.The cabin had started to lean about 14 degrees to the east. Forest Service staff members were concerned that the cabin would not survive next season's snowfall. Dale Nichols was contracted to lead the stabilization team. Dale is a retired Mendocino National Forest engine chief with thirty years of service. During his last 15 years on the Forest, he took an interest in stabilizing and restoring the Forest's old and historic buildings. Dale and John Grosvenor, retired Regional Architect, operate Kensington Sidewalk Services (oldlogcabin.com), a business specializing in the restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, repair, and reuse of vernacular buildings.
[Outdoor photo]: Historic Bodkin Cabin stabilized after restoration. Activate this link to view a larger version.On the morning of August 6, 2001, Dale and the crew of Engine 34 set about straightening the cabin and installing bracing to stabilize it for the winter. Engine 34 was used to pull the cabin back into level and plumb condition, first in the east-west direction and then in the north-south direction. Cross bracing was applied after each pull. Forest Service staff members hope to conduct a full restoration on the cabin next year. Archaeologists Christine Hill and Greg Greenway have been instrumental in making the project happen.
The cabin is believed to have been built in the late 1890's and was formally homesteaded by Joseph G. Botkin (spelled correctly) in 1901. The homestead was revoked in 1907 after it was determined that it was not a permanent residence, but used for summer grazing only. The cabin was then valued at $100.
By 1916, the cabin and surrounding acreage was being used as a Forest Service Ranger Station in the new California National Forest (now know as Mendocino National Forest) and was now named Bodkin Ranger Station. The new spelling of the name stuck and is still used today.
The cabin is a single story wood building with hand hewn wood foundation blocks, poles, pole frame support, horizontal boards, horizontal shakes, and a shake roof. The cabin is now used under a grazing lease and provides valuable insight in to the area's rich past.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ynetr Fghzc
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures