The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

Help Mt. Adams Institute fill Peterson Prairie Cabin void

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March 12, 2013

While the Cascade Creek Fire raged on the south slope of Mt. Adams, one misty morning brought news of an unrelated, but no less devastating structure fire. Locals, outdoors enthusiasts and forest employees all met this news with heavy hearts.

"When we heard about Peterson Prairie Guard Station burning down that morning we couldn't really believe it with everything else we had going on," said Mt. Adams Ranger District Recreation Program Manager, David Wickwire. "We went right out to see, and I don't have to tell most who loved this place about the empty sinking feeling when I first saw it."

Historic Peterson Prairie Guard Station was burned to the ground.

It was a total loss save the brick chimney. The cabin was available as a recreation rental and was popular with hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and huckleberry pickers. This was a big loss to the people who loved to visit this year-round destination offering an opportunity to stay in an 87 year-old Forest Service building nestled between Mt. Adams and Indian Heaven.

"We received an outpouring of interest from local communities and numerous partners and volunteers expressing willingness to help us rebuild a cabin at the site," said Mt. Adams District Ranger Nancy Ryke. "The Mt. Adams Institute is providing an avenue for people to donate funds or materials to make this project a reality."

The Mount Adams Institute (MAI) will raise money to move an existing historic building to replace the burned Peterson Prairie Cabin.

The existing historic building is scheduled for demolition. Moving it onto the Peterson Prairie site would save the structure and fill the void.

The Mount Adams Institute has set up a donation site on their website: http://www.mtadamsinstitute.com/support/petersen-prairie-cabin-replacement-project/

Moving an existing historical structure from Willard to the Peterson Prairie site would allow Gifford Pinchot National Forest employees and partners the opportunity to rent a cabin once again and save another historic structure from destruction.

For more information contact the Mount Adams Ranger District at 395-3402.