The
Vinther-Nelson Cabin is one of the best known historical landmarks
in the Priest Lake area. The cabin was built on Eightmile Island
in 1897 by the Crenshaw brothers. The Crenshaws resided in the
cabin while they pursued their mining venture at the 'Deer Trail
Lode' mine, a short distance from the cabin. After seven months
of arduous work at the mine without success, the brothers sold
the cabin to the W.J. Anders family who homsteaded the island for
the next two years. In 1900, Anders sold the cabin to cousins Sam
Vinther and Nels Nelson. The cabin remained in the Vinther and
Nelson families until 1982 when it was designated as a National
Historic Site. At that time, the families donated the cabin to
the US Government and now serve as permanent caretakers and curators
of the cabin.
The
Vinther and Nelson families have retained many of the artifacts related
to life at the cabin in the early 1900s and they have graciously made them
available for public viewing. Most of the cabin's original structural materials
remain as testament to the building skills of the early pioneers of the
lake. A visit to the cabin is a great way to take a step back in time and
get a feel for the way of life at Priest Lake at the turn of the century.
A small museum is located at the rear of the cabin and a beautiful walking
trail leads to the top of the island where you can observe the land cleared
by the Anders family in an valiant attempt to establish a farm.
The
cabin is located on the east side of Eightmile Island near the narrow channel
that separates the island from the mainland and is accessible only via
watercraft.
Open During Summer Only: Wednesday - Sunday
HOURS: 10am - 3pm
ADMISSION: Free
The
Vinther-Nelson Cabin is one of the best known historical landmarks
in the Priest Lake area. The cabin was built on Eightmile Island
in 1897 by the Crenshaw brothers. The Crenshaws resided in the
cabin while they pursued their mining venture at the 'Deer Trail
Lode' mine, a short distance from the cabin. After seven months
of arduous work at the mine without success, the brothers sold
the cabin to the W.J. Anders family who homsteaded the island for
the next two years. In 1900, Anders sold the cabin to cousins Sam
Vinther and Nels Nelson. The cabin remained in the Vinther and
Nelson families until 1982 when it was designated as a National
Historic Site. At that time, the families donated the cabin to
the US Government and now serve as permanent caretakers and curators
of the cabin. 
The
Vinther and Nelson families have retained many of the artifacts related
to life at the cabin in the early 1900s and they have graciously made them
available for public viewing. Most of the cabin's original structural materials
remain as testament to the building skills of the early pioneers of the
lake. A visit to the cabin is a great way to take a step back in time and
get a feel for the way of life at Priest Lake at the turn of the century.
A small museum is located at the rear of the cabin and a beautiful walking
trail leads to the top of the island where you can observe the land cleared
by the Anders family in an valiant attempt to establish a farm. 
The
cabin is located on the east side of Eightmile Island near the narrow channel
that separates the island from the mainland and is accessible only via
watercraft.