Hanley Cabin

A view looking North across the tennis court to the main house. The Cabin was to the West from this location. 

Welcome to the Edmonds Bicentennial Pioneer Log Cabin. We are here to show you its current use, its history, and its present condition.

Welcome to the Edmonds Bicentennial Pioneer Log Cabin.
The photos that follow will show you the cabin's history, restoration and current use.

The Cabin was moved to its current location at 120 - 5th Ave. North on August 28, 1975 which just happens to have been Molly Hanley's 22nd birthday. Molly is the youngest daughter of Lee and Dorie Hanley who donated the Cabin to the City of Edmonds. Please note the unusual style of chinking, the material between the logs. It has been perfectly rounded with two small rounded beads on the upper and lower edges of each row.

The Cabin was moved to its current location at 120 - 5th Ave. North on August 28, 1975 which just happens to have been Molly Hanley's 22nd birthday. Molly is the youngest daughter of Lee and Dorie Hanley who donated the Cabin to the City of Edmonds. Please note the unusual style of chinking, the material between the logs. It has been perfectly rounded with two small rounded beads on the upper and lower edges of each row.

On March 17, 1976, Al Kincaid, then president of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, set up new quarters for the Chamber. Formal dedication, appropriately, was on July 4, 1976.

On March 17, 1976, Al Kincaid, then president of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, set up new quarters for the Chamber. Formal dedication, appropriately, was on July 4, 1976.
This is the front door that welcomes you today.

This is the front door that welcomes you today.
Inside you might meet Harold Huston, who has only worked here for about 5 years or Jack Sadler a Cabin volunteer for the last 18 years. The Chamber of Commerce used the Cabin to house the part-time Executive Directors until 1990 when it was decided to move the Executive offices to the Financial Center building,which is now the City hall. Since that time the Cabin has become the Visitors Information Center, which, tied in with the Edmonds Visitors Bureau, was the first consortium of the city of Edmonds, the Port and the Chamber.

Inside you might meet Harold Huston, who has only worked here for about 5 years or Jack Sadler a Cabin volunteer for the last 18 years. The Chamber of Commerce used the Cabin to house the part-time Executive Directors until 1990 when it was decided to move the Executive offices to the Financial Center building,which is now the City hall. Since that time the Cabin has become the Visitors Information Center, which, tied in with the Edmonds Visitors Bureau, was the first consortium of the city of Edmonds, the Port and the Chamber.
The Cabin has provides space for Chamber members to place advertisement brochures, such as the Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, retail shops, the Museum etc.. It also contains information pieces on other communities in the state, maps, ferry schedules and bus schedules. The volunteers sell bus tickets and collect PUD and garbage payments. It is open five days a week from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The Cabin has provides space for Chamber members to place advertisement brochures, such as the Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, retail shops, the Museum etc.. It also contains information pieces on other communities in the state, maps, ferry schedules and bus schedules. The volunteers sell bus tickets and collect PUD and garbage payments. It is open five days a week from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
This room, currently used for storage and the copier, used to be the kitchen and the bathroom. This slide shows the "kitchen" side. On the left was a small two burner stove with an oven below. A sink was under the window and a tiny refrigerator was below the counter on the right. Small shelves were on either side of the window. Mrs. Nihlroos, whom you will meet later, used this kitchen for 25 years making cookies for all visitors, fruitcakes, rosettes, Swedish meatballs...all delectable!

This room, currently used for storage and the copier, used to be the kitchen and the bathroom. This slide shows the "kitchen" side. On the left was a small two burner stove with an oven below. A sink was under the window and a tiny refrigerator was below the counter on the right. Small shelves were on either side of the window. Mrs. Nihlroos, whom you will meet later, used this kitchen for 25 years making cookies for all visitors, fruitcakes, rosettes, Swedish meatballs...all delectable!
This side of the tiny room housed (from the left) the hot water heater, a small pedestal sink under the window, and the toilet on the right with a cabinet above. A curtain on a rod surrounded the area.

This side of the tiny room housed (from the left) the hot water heater, a small pedestal sink under the window, and the toilet on the right with a cabinet above. A curtain on a rod surrounded the area.
Now we turn to the early years. The Cabin was built for the man shown here during its construction in the early 1930's. Gaston Ganahl was born in Highland Park, CA August 17, 1887, and died in Seattle June 1985. His employment with the Robert Dollar Steamship Company took him to various parts of the world. In 1930, when he and his first wife Nell returned form the Phillippines, they purchased acreage in Seaview Heights.

Now we turn to the early years. The Cabin was built for the man shown here during its construction in the early 1930's. Gaston Ganahl was born in Highland Park, CA August 17, 1887, and died in Seattle June 1985. His employment with the Robert Dollar Steamship Company took him to various parts of the world. In 1930, when he and his first wife Nell returned form the Phillippines, they purchased acreage in Seaview Heights.

This is probably Mr. Ganahl's handyman who built the Cabin. We don't know his name, but we do know that he had been in Yellowstone National Park, and on a smaller scale the Cabin was designed to resemble a lodge where he had worked. All materials, logs and stones were taken from the land itself. He created a unique tool to shape the chinking that I pointed out on an earlier slide. Several log home specialists who have looked at the Cabin have never before seen this. Unfortunately he used concrete which holds water and is destructive to the logs. We are working on a way to replicate the style, but use a contemporary material that will protect the logs. Also notice the stone foundation which is imperative to the preservation of any log structure. A similar foundation is in the current restoration plans.

This is probably Mr. Ganahl's handyman who built the Cabin. We don't know his name, but we do know that he had been in Yellowstone National Park, and on a smaller scale the Cabin was designed to resemble a lodge where he had worked. All materials, logs and stones were taken from the land itself. He created a unique tool to shape the chinking that I pointed out on an earlier slide. Several log home specialists who have looked at the Cabin have never before seen this. Unfortunately he used concrete which holds water and is destructive to the logs. We are working on a way to replicate the style, but use a contemporary material that will protect the logs. Also notice the stone foundation which is imperative to the preservation of any log structure. A similar foundation is in the current restoration plans.
Here we have the completed Cabin as it looked in the early 1940's. It was used often during the next fifteen years by visiting relatives and friends. Mr. Ganahl told of one friend describing the Cabin as "the little house with a soul." This pleased him, as he too had a special feeling for his log Cabin Gaston is remembered as being sometimes moody, temperamental and gruff, but his home reflected him as also eclectic, a collector and lover of the arts. The layout of the Ganahl property consisted of the main home that was located on the current sight of Seaview Elementary School, the "summer home" complete with a fenced and lighted tennis court and the Cabin.

Here we have the completed Cabin as it looked in the early 1940's. It was used often during the next fifteen years by visiting relatives and friends. Mr. Ganahl told of one friend describing the Cabin as "the little house with a soul." This pleased him, as he too had a special feeling for his log Cabin Gaston is remembered as being sometimes moody, temperamental and gruff, but his home reflected him as also eclectic, a collector and lover of the arts. The layout of the Ganahl property consisted of the main home that was located on the current sight of Seaview Elementary School, the "summer home" complete with a fenced and lighted tennis court and the Cabin.  
With Mr. Ganahl's extensive connections in the shipping industry, the Cabin as shown here, became a "taste of the West" for international and nation wide guests. Lucy Ganahl, Gaston's gracious, charming and very English second wife spoke of a guest registry that included a famous German general, the actress Gertrude Lawrence, and Ernest Simpson, the second husband of Wallis Simpson who subsequently married the former King Edward, Duke of Windsor. Lucy Ganahl's daughter Jackie Breskovich of Seattle knows of the registry but has been unable to find it, so these visitations cannot be confirmed at this time. The "summer house", tennis court, orchard and Cabin, all sitting on 6 1/4 acres, were sold in 1946 to Lee and Dorie Hanley. 

With Mr. Ganahl's extensive connections in the shipping industry, the Cabin as shown here, became a "taste of the West" for international and nation wide guests. Lucy Ganahl, Gaston's gracious, charming and very English second wife spoke of a guest registry that included a famous German general, the actress Gertrude Lawrence, and Ernest Simpson, the second husband of Wallis Simpson who subsequently married the former King Edward, Duke of Windsor. Lucy Ganahl's daughter Jackie Breskovich of Seattle knows of the registry but has been unable to find it, so these visitations cannot be confirmed at this time. The "summer house", tennis court, orchard and Cabin, all sitting on 6 1/4 acres, were sold in 1946 to Lee and Dorie Hanley. 
In the middle years of the Cabin's history we see the beginnings of the Hanley touch. The first residents were from Boston--Lee's youngest brother Homer (nicknamed Caboose), his wife Dorothy and their two young sons Gerald and Kevin. They lived there about a year. 

In the middle years of the Cabin's history we see the beginnings of the Hanley touch. The first residents were from Boston--Lee's youngest brother Homer (nicknamed Caboose), his wife Dorothy and their two young sons Gerald and Kevin. They lived there about a year. 
Then the residents were John and Thyra Nihlroos. Originally John Johnson was from Sweden where he lived with step-parents and ran away to the Swedish Merchant Marine at the age of 13. He ultimately stowed away on a ship to America. John's uncle told him about the beautiful roses on the Nile River, so he changed his common sounding name to the Swedish version of the Nile River, hence Nihlroos. He met and married Thyra while working on her parents' farm in Illinois. 

Then the residents were John and Thyra Nihlroos. Originally John Johnson was from Sweden where he lived with step-parents and ran away to the Swedish Merchant Marine at the age of 13. He ultimately stowed away on a ship to America. John's uncle told him about the beautiful roses on the Nile River, so he changed his common sounding name to the Swedish version of the Nile River, hence Nihlroos. He met and married Thyra while working on her parents' farm in Illinois. 
Here John is spreading trellis string to hold a future wall of spectacular orange and yellow nasturtiums. 

Here John is spreading trellis string to hold a future wall of spectacular orange and yellow nasturtiums. 
This slide shows the Nihlroos' green thumb with foxgloves, sweet peas, etc. along the mowed and trodden path from the Cabin to the "summer house" now the Hanley family home. 

This photo shows the Nihlroos' green thumb with foxgloves, sweet peas, etc. along the mowed and trodden path from the Cabin to the "summer house" now the Hanley family home. 
Inside the Cabin we see Swedish heritage all around. This is the fireplace, the stones of which are present today. However, note the depth of the mantle and check it out the next time you visit the cabin. It is considerably more narrow. 

Inside the Cabin we see Swedish heritage all around. This is the fireplace, the stones of which are present today. However, note the depth of the mantle and check it out the next time you visit the cabin. It is considerably more narrow. 
This is the same scene, but with a cover made by John to keep the draft out when the fireplace was not in use. 

This is the same scene, but with a cover made by John to keep the draft out when the fireplace was not in use. 
To the left of the fireplace were bookshelves. 

To the left of the fireplace were bookshelves. 
Mary Jo & Bridget Hanley on the stairway. Beneath their feet was a secret hiding place where Christmas gifts and valuables were stowed. Mary Jo remembers sitting on the stairway and reading books from the bookshelf. Her grandmother subscribed to a book guild and new books came every month. Bridget went on to star in the TV series "Here Come the Brides". Many of the "Brides" fans have been a great help with the Save Our Cabin campaign. 

Mary Jo & Bridget Hanley on the stairway. Beneath their feet was a secret hiding place where Christmas gifts and valuables were stowed. Mary Jo remembers sitting on the stairway and reading books from the bookshelf. Her grandmother subscribed to a book guild and new books came every month. Bridget went on to star in the TV series "Here Come the Brides". Many of the "Brides" fans have been a great help with the Save Our Cabin campaign. 
Moving around the room to what is now the west window was their dining space. 

Moving around the room to what is now the west window was their dining space. 
On what is now the south wall was the couch and a corner shelf that John made. 

On what is now the south wall was the couch and a corner shelf that John made. 
John is gathering young trees---he will eventually make a banister for the stairway out of such a tree. 

John is gathering young trees---he will eventually make a banister for the stairway out of such a tree. 
John with his fantastic dahlias. He and Thyra also had a vegetable garden. 

John with his fantastic dahlias. He and Thyra also had a vegetable garden. 
He made window boxes that were tended by Thyra when she wasn't baking, picking fruit, canning, reading, crocheting, making lace work, knitting, or welcoming their many friends to the Cabin. This is another view of the unique chinking method used in construction. 

He made window boxes that were tended by Thyra when she wasn't baking, picking fruit, canning, reading, crocheting, making lace work, knitting, or welcoming their many friends to the Cabin. This is another view of the unique chinking method used in construction. 
A black cat came to call at the Hanley's but they were not allowed to keep it, so daughters Mary Jo and Bridget went down to the Cabin. Their grandparents agreed to keep "Blackie". John had very bad arthritis and walked with a limp in his later years. He would go up to the main house for the milk delivery. 

A black cat came to call at the Hanley's but they were not allowed to keep it, so daughters Mary Jo and Bridget went down to the Cabin. Their grandparents agreed to keep "Blackie". John had very bad arthritis and walked with a limp in his later years. He would go up to the main house for the milk delivery. 
Blackie would follow behind him and he learned to limp just like John. The girls remember that it was really something to see--the two of them coming across the tennis court limping. Blackie would never let John go alone! 

Blackie would follow behind him and he learned to limp just like John. The girls remember that it was really something to see--the two of them coming across the tennis court limping. Blackie would never let John go alone! 
This slide shows Thyra Nihlroos and Dorie Hanley, her only child of four that lived past infancy. 

This photo shows Thyra Nihlroos and Dorie Hanley, her only child of four that lived past infancy. 
Dorie and Lee Hanley with daughters Bridget on the left and Mary Jo.

Dorie and Lee Hanley with daughters Bridget on the left and Mary Jo. 
Mary Jo and Bridget welcome baby Molly. 

Mary Jo and Bridget welcome baby Molly. 
The girls are shown sitting on fallen timber in the woods on their property. In one windstorm, a huge fir tree next to the Cabin fell in the night. It missed the Cabin by only a few feet. The family always worried during high winds.

The girls are shown sitting on fallen timber in the woods on their property. In one windstorm, a huge fir tree next to the Cabin fell in the night. It missed the Cabin by only a few feet. The family always worried during high winds. 
The property had a fruit orchard which supplied these apples enjoyed by Bridget and Mary Jo. 

The property had a fruit orchard which supplied these apples enjoyed by Bridget and Mary Jo. 
The barbecue, that was down a path behind the Cabin, was used by the early guests and later by all the family. 

The barbecue, that was down a path behind the Cabin, was used by the early guests and later by all the family. 
A view looking North across the tennis court to the main house. The Cabin was to the West from this location. 
In June 1975 the Hanleys sold 5 acres for the Hanleywood Subdivision. The Cabin interfered with the lot locations and had to be moved or demolished. When it was offered to the City of Edmonds, Mayor Harve Harrison and the City Council felt it could be a Bicentennial Project. Approval was given and the Cabin was moved in August. The two mile trip to Edmonds took two days. Telephone and electrical wires had to be disconnected at every intersection because of the high Cabin roof. At the end of the first day, the Cabin remained overnight at the foot of Maplewood Hill. 

In June 1975 the Hanleys sold 5 acres for the Hanleywood Subdivision. The Cabin interfered with the lot locations and had to be moved or demolished. When it was offered to the City of Edmonds, Mayor Harve Harrison and the City Council felt it could be a Bicentennial Project. Approval was given and the Cabin was moved in August. The two mile trip to Edmonds took two days. Telephone and electrical wires had to be disconnected at every intersection because of the high Cabin roof. At the end of the first day, the Cabin remained overnight at the foot of Maplewood Hill. 
Finally on August 28th in the late afternoon, it was set up next to the Edmonds Historical Museum on 5th Avenue North. Many Edmonds citizens donated their time, labor and mataerials to permanently establish the Cabin in its new location. A printed scroll with names of everyone who helped hangs on the Cabin wall. 

Finally on August 28th in the late afternoon, it was set up next to the Edmonds Historical Museum on 5th Avenue North. Many Edmonds citizens donated their time, labor and mataerials to permanently establish the Cabin in its new location. A printed scroll with names of everyone who helped hangs on the Cabin wall. 
Landscaping by the City enhanced the setting. Note the size of the tree on the right. 

Landscaping by the City enhanced the setting. Note the size of the tree on the right. 
By 1996 the landscaping had matured and Thyra's window boxes were removed. The Cabin, which was not put on a foundation or treated with log preservatives through the years was beginning to deteriorate as was the area where the window boxes hung. 

By 1996 the landscaping had matured and Thyra's window boxes were removed. The Cabin, which was not put on a foundation or treated with log preservatives through the years was beginning to deteriorate as was the area where the window boxes hung. 
Note the damage under the window. 

Note the damage under the window. 
The red trim was changed to green, damage is increasing, the landscape encroaching, and the roof is being attacked by moss and in need of repair. 

The red trim was changed to green, damage is increasing, the landscape encroaching, and the roof is being attacked by moss and in need of repair. 
The north side shows rot in the corners due to no gutters and dense foliage. 

The north side shows rot in the corners due to no gutters and dense foliage. 
The back is totally engulfed by the young trees shown several slides ago. The Cabin, barely visible, is not able to stay dry due to no sunlight. 

The back is totally engulfed by the young trees shown several slides ago. The Cabin, barely visible, is not able to stay dry due to no sunlight. 
This shows more of the same. 

This shows more of the same. 
The damp ground has wicked up through the base logs. The large tree roots have shifted the previously level placement. The current condition of some, but not all of the logs are beyond repair. They can, however, be replaced or repaired where needed. If properly preserved, a log home can last 300 years. 

The damp ground has wicked up through the base logs. The large tree roots have shifted the previously level placement. The current condition of some, but not all of the logs are beyond repair. They can, however, be replaced or repaired where needed. If properly preserved, a log home can last 300 years. 
Some of the worst damage is under the west (formerly the kitchen) window. 

Some of the worst damage is under the west (formerly the kitchen) window. 
The Save Our Cabin Committee had its first meeting in November, 1998. A reunion was held by some of the Hanley Family in December, 1998 at the Cabin in order to record part of Marie Little's KSER radio show "If Houses Could Speak". Shown here are Mary Jo Hanley Healy, Molly Hanley Hopkins and Kevin Hanley who brought his three children to show them where he lived when he was 4 years old. Also present were some committee members, and volunteer Jack Sadler. The project was finally on its way. 

The Save Our Cabin Committee had its first meeting in November, 1998. A reunion was held by some of the Hanley Family in December, 1998 at the Cabin in order to record part of Marie Little's KSER radio show "If Houses Could Speak". Shown here are Mary Jo Hanley Healy, Molly Hanley Hopkins and Kevin Hanley who brought his three children to show them where he lived when he was 4 years old. Also present were some committee members, and volunteer Jack Sadler. The project was finally on its way. 
While there, Kevin told a delightful story about Bridget who would come down to the Cabin every day wanting him to play, but being only 4 years old, he had to take naps. This slide shows the window of the bedroom loft where he, his older brother and his parents slept. The public cannot see how tiny this room is, but you can see the room below it that is the same size. Next time you are at the Cabin, check out the former kitchen/bathroom area and imagine having four people sleep in such a small space. 

While there, Kevin told a delightful story about Bridget who would come down to the Cabin every day wanting him to play, but being only 4 years old, he had to take naps. This slide shows the window of the bedroom loft where he, his older brother and his parents slept. The public cannot see how tiny this room is, but you can see the room below it that is the same size. Next time you are at the Cabin, check out the former kitchen/bathroom area and imagine having four people sleep in such a small space. 
This slide shows the stairway rail made from one of the young trees collected by John Nihlroos. The curtain is in the doorway of the loft bedroom, now being used for storage.

This slide shows the stairway rail made from one of the young trees collected by John Nihlroos. The curtain is in the doorway of the loft bedroom, now being used for storage. 
Just inside the bedroom is a storage cabinet with another example of John Nihlroos' craftsmanship. In addition to cabinetry and whittling, he enjoyed making model ships inside bottles. The family has many fine examples of his work. 

Just inside the bedroom is a storage cabinet with another example of John Nihlroos' craftsmanship. In addition to cabinetry and whittling, he enjoyed making model ships inside bottles. The family has many fine examples of his work. 
The Cabin serves numerous functions in Edmonds. School children and visiting dignitaries alike are given tours. It is the official Christmas House, shown here in its snowy splendor. Note the Christmas letterbox on the right. 

The Cabin serves numerous functions in Edmonds. School children and visiting dignitaries alike are given tours. It is the official Christmas House, shown here in its snowy splendor. Note the Christmas letterbox on the right. 
Santa's personal elf, Lana Lindsey, answers each and every letter that is delivered to this box. 

Santa's personal elf, Lana Lindsey, answers each and every letter that is delivered to this box. 
Inside a cheerful tree greets us. 

Inside a cheerful tree greets us. 
Rudolf's kin, the Cabin mascot, wishes you all a happy holiday spirit in Edmonds every day of the year. 

Rudolf's kin, the Cabin mascot, wishes you all a happy holiday spirit in Edmonds every day of the year. 
There are too few abodes in this town that have been occupied and frequented by four generations of the same family. We are grateful to the many individuals and businesses that helped us raise the money to restore this wonderful part of our Edmonds history and community.

There are too few abodes in this town that have been occupied and frequented by four generations of the same family. We are grateful to the many individuals and businesses that helped us raise the money to restore this wonderful part of our Edmonds history and community.