06/17/2026
We were called to Shelly Idaho a little over a year ago to look at the Historical Kirkpatrick Cabin (the oldest standing structure in Blackfoot County Idaho.) Referred by Yellowstone Log Homes as the ones who would be able to handle the project, we met Lynn Cramer at the site of the cabin. If I said I was not scared that would have been a lie... we are talking a cabin built in 1867 by Morman Pioneers and we were the ones asked to repair it. The project was to be paid for by a grant. We placed a bid on the project. Unfortunately the grant did not match the estimate completely however we would not be living up to our mission of Preserving the Spirit of the Rocky Mountain West if we did not move forward. Infact we were a bit shy of the bid for 1 wall needing face repairs. Together with Lynn and the rest of the Historic board we came up with a plan to utilize as many volunteers as possible. We even had the LDS Service Missionaries of the local area wanting not only help but learn how this is done. On another project of ours we were pulling very old thick timbers.. observing them a vision appeared.... these were the boards needed! We contacted Sashco Log Homes and told them about the project and they made such an amazing donation to help with the chinking!! We used Log and Timber Defense ( color Buckskin and Chestnut)from Perma-Chink Systems to ensure the old rustic antique look. Like the old timers of the west we were using the "with what we have however we have to do it method." We met volunteers who came from Blackfoot with the second oldest standing structure in the country who volunteered to help with chinking to learn to restore their own cabin.... with all the help we were able to hit well under our bid for the one wall!!!!! The Kirkpatrick Cabin lives on!!!!!! What a huge win... thank you so much for all that donated their time, materials and products to help with this. Elk Country Log Home Restoration and Care Preserving the Spirit of the Rocky Mountain West!
