Constructed in 1963
Burned in 2005
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.
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.
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 2, 2007, the cabin was demolished. 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 remaining hole was cleaned up and prepared for the foundation
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. Even though they'd like to keep the original concept, logic has overcome the battle with nostalgia and there will be some changes: eight-foot walls, a full-size basement, operable windows, a dishwasher, and electrical wiring that will pass inspection.
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:
Open House at
"Elisha's Inn"
October 27, 1963
2:00 - 5:00 pm
This image is now used as the with-in chapter dividers in Prescription for Finding Home in Alaska.
Burned in 2005
Currently, a "guest book" of the cabin is being compiled of all the people who sojourned (more than a week or two) in the cabin over the past 43 years. At this moment, 13 family units have been identified:
- Solomon and Bertha Leppke (Ruby's parents),
- Pete and Alvina Nickel,
- Roald and Harriet Amundsen,
- Dwayne and Carolyn King,
- Gary and Jeanette (Amundsen) Klodt,
- Dave and Jan Penz,
- Kathleen (Matthews) and Ray Schlicting,
- Clay and Joy Norman,
- Dick and Kathy Page,
- Bob and Joyce Widman,
- Kandy and Pam Swedberg,
- Wilbur and Helen Leppke (Ruby's brother and wife),
- Patti Gaede (Mark's wife),
- Scott Anderson.
