This Strawberry Point, Alaska log structure was built in the summer and late fall of 1914 with the determined & fervent goal (3 different honeymooning couples) of habitation before the long & harsh winter set in. Did they meet their goal? Click title for more on this important historic story.

This home was not only the first inhabited domicile in Strawberry Point (Gustavus), Alaska by the "White" settlers, it was a communal effort between three groups of pioneers--all newlyweds in desperate need of winter quarters and badly needed privacy. It had 4 rooms; a relatively large common living area with kitchen, and three very small bedrooms to accomodate the 3 sets of newlyweds. 

The Henrys, the Taggerts and the Davis' were thrilled at their new accommadations (having spent the summer months in tents) and declared they made out quite nicely throughout that first long, harsh winter. Saturday nights were dress-up party nights, with their hand-cranked Edison, and much laughter, dancing and song. They dubbed their new home "The Honeymoon Ranch", and soon all three couples were happily pregnant! 

Unfortunately, it would be the worry of  having babies in the wilderness that would soon break this little band of friends and settlers apart. Years later this boarded up structure with spruce trees taking root on the long neglected roof, stood proud and remained a tribute to the industrious vision of those who built it.... until the last log fell. 

Also known as "The Davis Place" this first Strawberry Point (Gustavus), Alaska log home became a "port of entry" of sorts as other hopeful homesteaders came to build their dream and used the abandoned home of the first pioneers as temporary shelter. In later years still, as the structure began to deteriorate, it was put to use as a neighborhood storage building and even a hay barn.

Nothing, no matter the common or menial use in aging years, could ever dim the brightness of the Honeymoon Ranch's rightful place in history and its fairytale-like beginnings. Nor could anything ever diminish the historic record of the three pioneering couples high hopes, hard work, and homesteading ambitions.

This Strawberry Point, Alaska log structure was built in the summer and late fall of 1914 with the determined & fervent goal (3 different honeymooning couples) of habitation before the long & harsh winter set in. Did they meet their goal? Click title for more on this important historic story.

This home was not only the first inhabited domicile in Strawberry Point (Gustavus), Alaska by the "White" settlers, it was a communal effort between three groups of pioneers--all newlyweds in desperate need of winter quarters and badly needed privacy. It had 4 rooms; a relatively large common living area with kitchen, and three very small bedrooms to accomodate the 3 sets of newlyweds. 

The Henrys, the Taggerts and the Davis' were thrilled at their new accommadations (having spent the summer months in tents) and declared they made out quite nicely throughout that first long, harsh winter. Saturday nights were dress-up party nights, with their hand-cranked Edison, and much laughter, dancing and song. They dubbed their new home "The Honeymoon Ranch", and soon all three couples were happily pregnant! 

Unfortunately, it would be the worry of  having babies in the wilderness that would soon break this little band of friends and settlers apart. Years later this boarded up structure with spruce trees taking root on the long neglected roof, stood proud and remained a tribute to the industrious vision of those who built it.... until the last log fell. 

Also known as "The Davis Place" this first Strawberry Point (Gustavus), Alaska log home became a "port of entry" of sorts as other hopeful homesteaders came to build their dream and used the abandoned home of the first pioneers as temporary shelter. In later years still, as the structure began to deteriorate, it was put to use as a neighborhood storage building and even a hay barn.

Nothing, no matter the common or menial use in aging years, could ever dim the brightness of the Honeymoon Ranch's rightful place in history and its fairytale-like beginnings. Nor could anything ever diminish the historic record of the three pioneering couples high hopes, hard work, and homesteading ambitions.