| The Brooks Cabin serves as a welcoming center for visitors entering the Charles C.
Deam Wilderness. Not long ago, this cabin stood on a bend of the Little Blue River in
Crawford County. Tax records and evidence left by artifacts indicate the cabin was
built by John S. Brooks in the 1890's. The building is characteristic of log homes built
in the eastern United States between 1850 and 1920.
The Forest Service acquired the cabin in a land purchase in 1992. Until then, the
structure was slowly deteriorating as a result of neglect and vandalism. The decision was
made by the Forest Service to move the cabin to a location where it could be more
accessible and useful. The entrance to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness was chosen as a
perfect place to reconstruct the cabin.
 |
Map of current location of Brooks Cabin |
Spearheaded by a large group of volunteers, the Brooks Cabin was
dismantled, and each log and chimney stone numbered so that it could carefully be rebuilt.
The numerous pieces were then moved 60 miles north and the cabin was rebuilt on the
western edge of the Wilderness.
Only a few of the logs had to be replaced, new shingles put on the roof and a new floor
laid. The cabin provides a facility for visitors to stop for information. It also provides
an authentic backdrop of the type of pioneer home that once dotted the landscape in the
area of the Wilderness 100 years ago.
| Restored cabin at the Blackwell Lake and picnic area site. |
 |
Stop by and visit the cabin before you enter the Wilderness. Learn why a
federally designated Wilderness area is a special place with special rules. Furthermore,
learn about the importance of camping without leaving a trace, and other principles you
should practice while visiting the Wilderness.
The cabin is operated by volunteers during much of the year and is open
only during high use seasons and the hours are flexible.
| Restored cabin with original logs and chimney stones open for visitors
during the recreation season. |
 |
|
