The cabin was built sometime between 1854 and 1856 by Joseph and Mary Hessler. He was Canadian, she was bom in Ireland and both were in their mid forties when they arrived probably by small ship out of Mackinaw. 

     Although we have no written record as to how Hessler built his cabin, it is obvious from the sheer weight and bulk of the logs that one man could not realistically build such a cabin alone.  Other pioneers lived in the general vicinity including a shingle maker. At least one pioneer living close by owned some oxen whose formidable strength were often used in the lifting of the logs.  Building materials were scarce so the huge timbers cut from white pine and hemlock trees to provide clearings were hand hewn and stacked on top of each other to form the walls. Dovetailed joints held the comers snugly together without nails or fasteners. Over the course of the tenor so years they lived on the Peninsula, the Hesslers were able to clear sixteen acres which they farmed. They raised corn and wheat, and he fished the waters and collected sugar sap in the spring to make maple syrup. They also had several out buildings and a barn.

     Most of these early pioneers arrived in this manner as there were no roads leading to this area at that time. We have no recorded documents as to what these two might have brought with them but the furnishings we have placed in the cabin are accurate to the period and  represent the few basic things they might have owned and used. The stove was used for heating although some cooking could be done by utilizing its level top. Often theseearly pioneers had a small addition or out building where the kitchen was located. The bucket on the bucket bench next to the door was the kind he might have used when collecting sap. The bucket bench was no doubt a necessity for them to place their buckets of water for daily use. Before thiscabin was moved here, it was situated about ten miles south along the shore of East Bay. The collecting of water for them was probably not too difficult. Hessler also owned a boat as did most of the early pioneers for it was their primary means of transportaion. He probably took his harvested wheat across the bay to Elk Rapids to have it ground into flour. The wheat cradle in the loft was typical of that era.

The dry sink next to the stove was used for washing dishes and possibly for washing clothing during the cold winter months. The three saws hanging on the wall were used in the lumbering era at the turn of the century. The rusted linked chain was also used in the late 1800's by lumbermen to help pull heavy logs. The chain was hand forged. The large rectangular soapstone leaning against the stove was heated then placed under bed covers for warmth.

     Most of the furnishings have been donated by members of the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society or by members and friends of the community.