Raspberry Ridge Retreat
Nestled away in seclusion, still standing as a tribute to our loving ancestors. Here are only a few pictures in their honor.
From the veranda of The Stagecoach Station as viewed on the previous page stands the 1883 log cabin formerly belonging to the Euell family a few miles west of Deer Park, WA. After serving as the family home for decades it was converted to a barn of sorts. When the Gintz family acquired the building, crammed full of manure, they dismantled and reassembled it with meticulous care. Then began their love of preserving vintage buildings for our offspring to enjoy for many years to come.
Mr. Doug Gintz admires his handy work. He holds in his hand a photo first observered only minutes before. It is a photo taken many years ago by the Van Slykes of the Loon Lake, Washington, stagecoach station. With eyes gleaming he said, "Boy would I ever have loved to have had this photo when I was trying to put that building back together." But he and his son Matt did it. One further personal touch, Doug and Candy delegated their grand children to do the caulking. Their little hands were the "caulking gun" and you can see the hand prints by the hundreds. They indeed did the same to this 1883 log cabin as well.
This old wood frame barn was located out on Peone Prairie some miles northeast of Spokane, WA. While the Gintz family was taking the barn down, the neighbors were visibly up set and were not bashful about showing their displeasure. One day a fellow stopped and talked to Doug and said he knew he was just going to use the lumber for profit. Doug quietly informed him of his intention to move the barn to his Retreat and resurrect it for posterity. The attitude of the neighbors changed instantly. Seems to be a likely place to hold a good old fashioned barn dance.
Originally this was a one room cabin divided by draperies. It was built, not by pioneers but a son and daughter of pioneers, Darrell & Elsie Gibson. They traded their Loon Lake cabin given to them by Elsie’s father, Mark Peasley. Mark later sold his entire Loon Lake frontage to Tuffy Luhr, for this farm a mile off the old Cottonwood trail down in a little green valley. Here they built the sturdy Log home in the mid 1930s. They had three children, Doris, Lucille and Billy. They raised these kids on this farm until they married and started families themselves. This log cabin still stands, a tribute to the craftsmanship of our forefathers.
This log cabin is perched within a few yards of the Pend Oreille River. The owner of this farm for as many years as recorded was Carl Berg and yet even he did not know who the orignal settler was. The name was enscribed on a log but has long since become unreadable. One thing is known about the original pioneer. He or she had an eye for beauty.
The Hazard family proved up on this acreage May 21st of 1897. Which means they filed for homestead rights in 1892. It was a store, post office and residence all in one. Although this building is history a Hazard family member has lived on this farm ever since.
This log structure stands in very good repair about 1/4 mile south of the site of the David Thompson Spokane house and yet not associated with it. At this point no one is able to discuss its origin.
This photo was taken by Monte Dodge pbase. Check it out. You are in for a treat. This is a photo he took at Bodie Washington. A Ghost town. The Grocery store.
For some reason this settler just never got around to laying the rock walkway he promised those many years earlier. They still lay neatly stacked on the porch.
One can only surmise, this must up in some far flung mountain valley or very near Clayton, WA.
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The Euell Homestead ranch house is a segment of 1800s vintage homes in a cluster yet set spaciously on the Raspberry Ridge Ranch. It overlooks a rather impressive canyon considering a half mile south there are wide open plains.
This is what is called a deluxe sleeping loft. It is hanging from the rafters no less.
The rear side of the 1883 Stage house.
This is the front yard of the Gintz spread.
This is the identical building as shown on the previous page STAGECOACH. When Wells Fargo and other stagecoach companies ceased operations as the railroads took over the freight and passenger business, the stagecoach companies moved to areas called spur lines and survived a few years longer. The companies sold off the stations they had abandoned. Thus the landlord of the Loon Lake south station rented out to such people as the Van Slyke family who lived in this building for many years. Bonnie Van Slyke is over 90 years old and was successful in securing this one and only photo in existence today. Helen Holberg kept tabs on its whereabouts and directed us to its current location, resurrected and stands ready to help entertain people who can't forget the olden days and their long ago childhood.
This is a house & Home that we actually know the historyThe Homestead of Ole T. and Helena Westby. They raised their entire family in this very house. Their Daughter Anna lived here all of her married life & they had a Daughter named Violet. Violet lived all of her life either here or North 1/4 of a mile, She can look out her window today and see the house the her Great Grandparents lived & Built the family in. Thats called precious memories.
Dis is Da Barn Dat OLE built. Now the Messerschmitts own it.
Nestled away on the very edge of the wilderness was the Coffin homestead. This log barn was built to last as was the settlers themselves. Mr. Pete Coffin, CDPHS media specialist, still owns this family farm, althought every farm building has been removed some of the fellow settlers still hold vigil over it.
This is a ghost town, Bodie, Washington. It was abandoned in the 1930s. Bodie is located just east of the Methow Valley. A way out of our immediate vicinity, but we are sorely lacking in ghost towns unless you consider Clayton a ghost town with people. Please don't get upset. That's a joke!
Hidden neatly away from view stood this Indian log cabin, abandoned for many years and waiting to welcome someone home.
People from all walks of life sought temporary shelter in this outpost, From the weary traveler, The Settlers leary of hostilities and rumors of such, Even the natives eager for a hand out and companionship with the paleface. Not to be ignored, also the Soldiers as well were relieved to pass through the gates & let their guard down. Contentment reigned behind the protective walls of Fort Spokane.
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