Hi.
It has been awhile since I’ve had the time to write.
Interior design work has been demanding, and we sent our oldest daughter to college this fall. I’m trying to wrap my head around it all to stay afloat.
This has also been one of the most beautiful Septembers that I can remember.
On Friday, Dave and I hopped on his motorcycle and took in the fall colors while exploring a project request. His uncle, a member of a historical society, wanted him to see if a log cabin could be saved. It’s located between Montpelier and Star Valley, and it was a critical respite for freighters carrying life-saving supplies from one valley to the other when it was being settled.
It is called the Halfway House.
Benoni (Noen) and Mary (Maime) Wilkes homesteaded 322 acres here, and the Halfway House was built along with a barn that could house 32 teams and their drivers. It was a haven for freighters, the mail wagon, and the daily coach where travelers could stop for dinner and a change of horses. Maime phoned Afton daily to find out how many guests were on their way so she could provide a family-style meal on her wood-burning stove. (From the pamphlet created by the Historical Society).
The State Highway decided to build a highway over Salt Creek Pass, further to the east, and the Halfway House wasn’t needed after 1925.
We were told it was on a stacked rock foundation, although there doesn’t seem to be much of it left. We saw some stacks where the big barn used to be (no photos…sorry) but we couldn’t see much of a foundation left for the house. While it would be great to save the original, we don’t think it’s possible. So much of it would be new that it wouldn’t be original anyway, and any movement would crumble the old chimney and most of the structure.
Regardless, it was a beautiful drive, and I felt a little more connected to the people that settled these harsh places.
(All photos are my own and simply shot on iPhone with no editing)
Leave a Reply