Project Timeline for the White Grass Dude Ranch
2006
White Grass cabins were stabilized to prevent further deterioration during the ten-year project duration. Site clean-up included: Hantavirus remediation, bat and rodent exclusion, and demolition of the non-historic fabric. Salvageable windows and doors were labeled, removed and transported to the Moose shop for preservation treatment. New plywood coverings were installed over windows and doors to protect the structures from public entry.
2007
Work began on utilities which included providing electrical service for construction work. A water system was installed, including the construction of a well house and distribution lines to the historic service/laundry building. The septic system was trenched and construction of new waste water lines was begun. Utility systems were fully integrated into the whole complex; all the ground work on electrical, water and sewer systems were laid and could be supplied to individual cabins as preservation work began. Work on the Girls’ Cabin (HS-1154) and the ADA guest cabin (HS 1155) began: foundation replacement and exterior log work repair.
2008
Work on the Hammond cabin (HS-1156) commenced while work cabins 1154 and 1155 continued. Preservation work included exterior wall log replacement, foundation replacement, porch rehabilitation, and fireplace and chimney repairs. Windows and doors that had been removed were re-installed after fabrication or preservation treatment. The roof was also repaired.
2009
Work on Hammond Cabin continued; the building was fully operational by the end of the season. Work concentrated on the interior of the cabin with the upgrade of door and frame widths for ADA compliancy and the installation of a communal kitchen and a kitchen addition off the north side of the building for the caretaker quarters. Other interior work included the restoration of interior finishes, doors and wood floors. Two new bathrooms, one ADA accessible, were installed.
2010
Work began on three guest cabins (HS-1157, HS-1158, HS-1160). The primary focus was exterior work: replacing or repairing logs, stabilizing the roofs, door, and window repairs and fabrications. Utility connections to these structures were made and foundation work performed.
2011
Work continued on the three guest cabins (HS-1157, HS-1158, HS-1160) with two of them fully operational at the end of the construction season. Two porches were rehabilitated on cabin 1160, the roof was replaced, and the doors, windows and wood floors were rehabilitated. The exterior rehabilitation of cabin 1158 should be finalized by the end of the construction season and the interior rehabilitation will continue during the winter with a projected completion during the spring of 2012. An ADA ramp for cabin 1155 should be finished by the end of the season. A landscape master plan is being reviewed.
2012
Any remaining rehabilitation work on cabin 1158 will be finalized for spring operation. Work on a single cabin (HS-1159) and a double cabin (HS-1161) will begin, along with initial rehabilitation work on the Main Cabin (HS-1168), including a new foundation and major exterior log repairs and replacements. The primary focus will be on the single and double cabins, where the porches will be restructured and windows and doors will be repaired and installed, as well as any necessary interior rehabilitation work.
2013
The Main Cabin fireplace, chimney stacks and roof will be repaired. The service/shower building (HS-1162) work will consist of exterior log replacement and repairs, new foundations, roof repairs, and any required ADA upgrades. Utilities will be connected to the service/shower building.
2014
Rehabilitation work will mainly focus on the Main Cabin with the intent of having it operational by the end of the construction season. Exterior work to be completed includes the rehabilitation of the east facing main porch as well as the removal of a non-historic sliding glass door that will be replaced with sill logs and a fabricated window to match the original window opening. Any floor joists lacking structural integrity will be replaced, and interior finishes, doors and wood flooring will be restored. Installation of a communal handicap accessible bathroom and other upgrades will bring the Main Cabin in compliance with ADA.
2015-2016
The rehabilitation of the remaining three guest cabins (HS-1163, HS-1164, HS-1165) will begin. They will undergo repairs to exterior logs, roofs, doors and porches. Utility connection will be established and foundation work begun. Windows and doors will be reinstalled after fabrication and preservation treatment. Interior work on finishes and wood floors will also be completed.
The completion of the last three cabins wraps-up the entire rehabilitation, restoration and adaptive-use of the White Grass Dude Ranch in time for the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration.
