Pearson Cabin, near Toklat River, Cantwell, Denali Borough, AK

Significance: Built by Ranger Grant Pearson, who became the park superintendent in 1949, and Ranger Lee Swesher, this is the oldest (and possibly the only extant) patrol cabin built totally by park rangers. Budget constraints required them to "whip-saw lumber from logs with a reconditioned crosscut saw. / During the summers of 1927 and 1928, park rangers Fritz Nyberg, Lee Swisher, and Grant Pearson constructed an 11 x 13 shelter cabin near the Toklat River crossing. With $15 for window glass, hinges, and nails, they completed the structure, the oldest along the park road. The cabin was built from local spruce, axed and whipsawed to fit, and chinked with moss and dirt. Eight dog kennels and a cache, 10 feet above ground, add to this typical Alaska shelter cabin site. Ranger Pearson, a well-known guide turned ranger, capped his career at McKinley Park by becoming superintendent.

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-10

Survey number: HABS AK-33

Building/structure dates: 1927 Initial Construction

Building/structure dates: 1951 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1976 Subsequent Work

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1927 - 1980

Library of Congress

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