An Athabascan Indian, Johnny Parks, built the cabin, and many others in the area, during the early 60s. He was a short man, who built short walls, and short door frames. The Gaedes on the Eighty have never been tall people, but barely 6 foot outer walls and even lower door frames gave everyone a head-knocker or two!

Naomi's mother, Ruby Gaede named the cabin "Elisha's Inn," after the story in I Kings 4:8-10, where a couple built a small room for Elisha to stay in when he came through their country.

For the homestead cabin Open House, Ruby Gaede sketched a rendering of the cabin on the invitation:

This image is now used as the with-in chapter dividers in Prescription for Finding Home in Alaska.

Since 1963, the Gaede-Eighty homestead cabin has been a landmark for the Gaede family and many others who have made sojourned there. In the fall of 2005, a fire started in the basement. The interior was burned, water-damaged, and/or charred. Given that the logs served as the interior and exterior of the building, this piece of history is no longer inhabitable.

Burned in 2005

Demolition of Cabin

After much deliberation, exploration of options, changes in plans, and gasps at demolition and construction costs, Naomi and her siblings decided to demolish the old structure. Parting with this landmark and family history seemed unbearable. On August 2, 2007, the cabin was demolished.

Then the thought of saving a section of the cabin popped into Naomi's head! The original bedroom at one end was the least damaged. But, would it be unscathed during the demolition AN D relocated to the side of the cabin site? Shawn Holly of River City Construction and Bill Hill of Oilfield Hot Shot Service put their heads and expertise together. Yes, it was possible, but they didn't know if it would hold together after being cut loose from the mid-section or if the floor would be strong enough to support the walls and roof while being moved.

On August 6, 2007, the bedroom-turned-mini-cabin was lifted off its foundation and successfully dragged to a corner of the cabin lot!

The new design is much like the first one, with a bedroom on each side of the main section, 860 square feet, and a low pitch trapper-style roofline. As much as nostalgia influences decision, there are changes: eight-foot walls, a full-size basement, and operable windows. Coming soon will be electrical wiring that will pass inspection. Later, a dishwasher!