UNBELIEVABLE CABIN BUILD LOCATION! There’s Just One Problem

Could Memaloose Island be perfect for our next off-grid cabin build?
We recently had the opportunity to spend some time with some good friends on Hope Peninsula on Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho. The peninsula is now a private community of cabins of all sizes, boat docks, beaches, a wildlife preserve, and a forest service campground. The views from almost every corner of the peninsula are spectacular. My little helper and his friends had a blast exploring the many paths through the community, summiting rock outcroppings, and searching for treasures at each step of the journey.
Apparently, our little gang of explorers wasn't the first to explore the area. In 1809, legendary explorer David Thompson came through this area as he established fur trade routes throughout the Pacific Northwest. In September of that year, he had a log house built, that for a short time served as a trading outpost. He named this outpost the "Kullyspell House". It was actually the first settler-owned building in what would eventually become the state of Idaho. You might say this was the first off-grid cabin in the PNW. While it was the first in the area, it was eventually abandoned when another outpost was built near present-day Spokane, WA.
A century later, another man of adventure moved his young family from Chicago to Hope, ID. His name was Dr. Wendle. In the 1920s this man bought the beautiful 9-acre Memaloose island 2000ft offshore from the site of Thompson's Kullyspell House. They built a collection of cabins on the island and planted a large garden, including fruit trees. They didn't have electricity on the island, but they had a water system powered by a 60-ft windmill. This windmill would fill a water system that would supply water for the buildings and would irrigate their gardens. The family transformed the island into a garden paradise. In 1925 this adventurer had a dream to make the island into a camp and make it available for children to come and explore. Unfortunately, his family did not share his vision and the dream quickly faded.
While the camp idea never materialized, the island proved to be an outdoor paradise for the adventurer's grandkids. Eventually, the adventurer would purchase even more land in the area, including the location of Thompson's Kullyspell House. The adventurer that moved his young family from Chicago has been gone now for a number of years and the island paradise has changed hands a number of times. As we ended our walk with our friends through the peninsula, I noticed an inscription at the entrance of our friend's cabin driveway: "Established - 1809". Curious I asked "1809, what's the story?" She said, "let me tell you about the first off-grid cabin in the PNW and my great grandfather Dr. F.G. Wendle."
Oddly enough, Memaloose island is once again for sale. What do you think? Does it sound like the perfect location for our next off-grid cabin build?
#lakependoreille #hopeidaho #sandpointidaho #northidaho
Follow the entire cabin build journey: • Tiny Cabin Build
Follow our adventures in the area around our cabin here: • PNW Adventures
🔔 Subscribe for the latest in our tiny cabin build: www.youtube.co...
Drone Video footage shot with a DJI Mini SE: amzn.to/3Kt1wbK
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!