If the size of a building were the measure of its fame, Packer John’s Cabin would be at about the bottom of the list in Idaho. At 432 square feet, it probably wouldn’t even bring half a million dollars today if it were in Boise’s North End. The 18’ x 24’ cabin was built by John William Welch, Jr. to serve as a storage space and occasional shelter from winter weather. It was located roughly halfway between Lewiston and Boise on Goose Creek near what is now the tiny community of Meadows.
“Halfway” was its reason for fame. The capital of Idaho Territory was, let’s say, transitioning from Lewiston to Boise in 1863. Democrats decided the place was perfect for their first territorial convention because of its location. Before you start guffawing about Democrats needing only a phone booth for their convention, you should know a couple of things. First, there were no phone booths in 1863 and second, the Republican Party had only lately been invented.
As it turned out, the Democrats got their wires crossed somehow about where they were meeting, so the ended up trekking to Lewiston to have their confab. They did meet at Packer John’s Cabin, though, in 1864. So did some version of the Republicans.
So, a small measure of fame for a small cabin. Tomorrow, we take a look at Packer John, the man who built the cabin.
“Halfway” was its reason for fame. The capital of Idaho Territory was, let’s say, transitioning from Lewiston to Boise in 1863. Democrats decided the place was perfect for their first territorial convention because of its location. Before you start guffawing about Democrats needing only a phone booth for their convention, you should know a couple of things. First, there were no phone booths in 1863 and second, the Republican Party had only lately been invented.
As it turned out, the Democrats got their wires crossed somehow about where they were meeting, so the ended up trekking to Lewiston to have their confab. They did meet at Packer John’s Cabin, though, in 1864. So did some version of the Republicans.
So, a small measure of fame for a small cabin. Tomorrow, we take a look at Packer John, the man who built the cabin.
A replica of the cabin was built on the site but no longer exists.
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