Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Post Preservation Condition
The Buckey O’Neill Cabin, individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits on the precipice of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in historic Grand Canyon Village. The completed project is an exceptional example of public/private partnerships in preservation, returning the structure to its 1935 condition and garnering both Engineering News Record (ENR) and Governor’s Heritage Preservation Awards.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Pre-Preservation Condition
The Buckey O’Neill Cabin structure was at risk from compromised structural members, poor drainage, end-of-life roof, and the absence of eaves, gutters, and downspouts. Existing windows, doors, frames, and paint were not historically appropriate.
The Oldest Historic Building in Grand Canyon National Park
Built circa-1890, the Buckey O’Neill Cabin is the oldest surviving historic structure on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The cabin is considered one of the earliest examples of adaptive reuse of a historic structure.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Evaluation of Log Elements
To begin, each log/crown feature was evaluated for reuse or replacement. Due to widespread insect damage and decay, much of the total existing log material was slated for replacement in-kind.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Replacement Matching
Replacement matching was a multi-step selection process. Once a similar log was selected for reuse, it was sized to the exact matching diameter and shaped to closely resemble the piece slated for replacement.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Southeast Log Crown
Southeast log crown before and after the preservation process illustrating preserved logs. Our team’s carpenters took great care to accurately select all logs for repairs and duplicate their historic shape and tool marks.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Northwest Corner
The northwest corner exhibited some of the most extensive damage and a completely buried stone foundation. In addition to the aforementioned log preservation efforts, these images illustrate board and batten wood siding, wood shakes, the excavated stone foundation, and the addition of a fully reversible copper gutter and downspout.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: In-Process Log Assembly
Preservation required multiple rounds of assembly and disassembly of log crowns prior to the finishing process. Bracing was utilized to ensure the integrity of the historic structure throughout the historic preservation process.
Buckey O'Neill Cabin: Historically Accurate Finishes
Loven Contracting worked with conservators to identify a historically accurate log finish as well as the original chinking materials and daubing composition.
Buckey O’Neill Cabin
This project was honored with the 2019 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award, as presented by the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, and a 2019 ENR Award of Merit for Renovation/Restoration, as presented by Engineering News Record.
The Buckey O’Neill Cabin is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located just feet from the South Rim at the Grand Canyon National Park. Built circa 1890 by a key figure in both Arizona State and U.S. National history, the Buckey O’Neill Cabin is one of the earliest examples of adaptive reuse of a historic structure.
A multi-disciplinary partnership, including Loven Contracting’s Historic Preservation Team, was formed with the following goals:
- To ensure the integrity of the cabin for the next 129 years and beyond;
- To return the cabin to a condition reflective of its appearance in 1935, when it was purchased by the Fred Harvey Company and incorporated into the Mary Colter-designed Historic Bright Angel Cabins and Lodge Complex;
- To complete this preservation in a manner worthy of an important state and national landmark, utilizing best-in-class information, analysis, and construction techniques, while adhering to NPS Historic Preservation guidelines.
The team undertook an extensive preservation process, including painstaking materials matching, modification of contemporary tools to more accurately replicate the marks made by Buckey O’Neill during the original construction, and diligent documentation of every step to ensure accuracy. The result is truly exceptional. Loven Contracting is honored to share in the stewardship of this national icon and preserve it for future visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park.
