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We proudly announce the newest addition to Horse
Creek Wildlife Sanctuary-an original pioneer log cabin, built
in our part of Tennessee some time during the early or mid-1800s. |
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The cabin is called "The Darby Cabin,"
because the Darby family were the first residents to be recorded
by any local history. Many families lived in the cabin over the
years in its location, southeast of what is now the Cypress Inn
community in southern Wayne County. In 1898, this piece of history
and its surrounding land was sold to the Bailey family (Jasper
and Martha Bailey). It has been handed down through the generations
to Bailey family descendants, and we are grateful to Mr. and
Mrs. Roy Bailey, who donated the cabin to us. |
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The cabin, as you might imagine, was not picture
perfect. Some small parts of it were too deteriorated to save,
and the chimney was completely gone. But most of the structure
did remain in good shape. It was meticulously labeled and disassembled
and brought here to Horse Creek, where it was carefully reassembled.
It has a new roof and a few new boards here and there, but it
looks very much like it would have looked in the 1800s when it
was home to early settlers in this area. It is a reminder for
us that, not so long ago, this area was wilderness that required
strong people to create lives here. |
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We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bailey for The Darby Cabin.
They, as we, value the importance of cherishing our history.
When you enter the Darby cabin, you are immediately aware of
the many, many years of family life that centered in this small
space. How many children were born here? (Those who should know
tell us that three sets of twins were born in the Darby Cabin!)
How many families worked hard in tough times to settle this country
and make a better world for all of us? |
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Darby Cabin, welcome to Horse Creek. We will treat
you with the respect and dignity you deserve. |
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Mr. Roy Bailey and his aunt, Mrs. Ida Bailey
McClanahan, are sitting in the doorway of the Darby cabin in
its original location. We thank their family for sharing the
cabin and its history. |
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