For over fifty years, the Job Carr Cabin Museum has welcomed thousands of visitors

For over fifty years, the Job Carr Cabin Museum has welcomed thousands of visitors


The Job Carr Cabin Museum of Tacoma, Washington, is located in a historic, iconic building full of captivating history and rich stories of not only the cabin itself but also of the man who built it - Job Carr. The museum, a beloved part of the community, seeks to bring these tales to life and allow visitors to connect to them in an engaging, meaningful way. Nestled in the heart of Old Town Tacoma, the Job Carr Cabin Museum is a picturesque reminder of the city’s past. Built in 1864, the cabin was the first structure of what would become the city of Tacoma. Originally, the cabin was home to the progressive and self-made Job Carr. After his death, his heirs worked to preserve the cabin and its contents, resulting in the creation of the Job Carr Cabin Museum. Information can be found here.

Originally, Job was born to a family of modest means in rural Connecticut in 1813. Quickly, he began to forge his own way, and over the years, he became versed in a variety of trades, including carpentry and masonry. These skills would come in handy when he moved to the West Coast, where he arrived in 1853 at the age of 40. In 1864, Job was granted a Donation Land Claim in what would become the future city of Tacoma. On this land, he constructed his 20 by 24 ft log cabin, an experiment of his handiwork and carpentry. Within its walls, Job served as the area’s first postmaster, storekeeper, and milliner. He even operated a private bank in the cabin by printing his own notes and coins. In her diary, Virginia Chambers, Job’s granddaughter, paints a powerful and evocative image in its golden age, as the cabin that appeared to be “very well kept and home-like…and it had homemade furniture.” One of the most notable features of the cabin remained the distinct redwood-burning stove, which Job himself made from a combination of Pacific Northwest redwood, iron, and bricks. Discover facts about Exploring the Serene Beauty of Kandle Park in Tacoma, Washington.

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