Starting in the 1920’s, on the slopes of Oregon’s Mt Hood, hundreds of vacation cabins were built. One of the most prolific builders was Henry Steiner.

Today there are around 30 existing Steiner cabins. And once a year, if you are lucky, you can get tickets to tour of some of the cabins.

Other than items they could not make themselves such as windows and sinks, Henry and his sons built their cabins completely out of native materials they found on site.

The best part of these amazing log cabins is the use of naturally occurring tree forms that are incorporate into the designs.
Like this fantastic loft railing, made from peeled tree roots.

Looking down from the loft, the current owner and Dick Steiner, Henry’s grandson, reminisce.
These cabins are not big, this one is 804 square feet. But with the beautiful woods and Sandy river near by, why would you need more?

Tucked into the forest, each is a perfect example of ‘Oregon Rustic’ architectural style.
The sign above the porch says, ‘H Steiner 1936’.

The coolest front door ever. The owner told us she had bought the cabin years ago, with zero idea that it was a Steiner cabin. It was a picture of another front door that looked like hers, that clued her into the identity of her cabin’s builder.

Bigger than the smaller cabins, this one was built in 1926. The owners guess that after 1929 and during the depression, Steiner built smaller and more affordable.

Views out into the bucolic patio.

The lucky owners, Mike and Susie with Dick Steiner. When he was a boy, Dick worked with his father and grandfather.
Besides a Steiner cabin owner and restorer, Susie Wickward is an artist. She painted the picture of Dick’s dad, Henry at the top of my post.

Thank You Thank You to all the generous owners. And to the Mt Hood Cultural Center who put together this wonderful event.
You can find more information and pictures of Steiner cabins here. And at the Facebook page, Steiner Log Cabins‘.