Nestled amongst the trees of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest is Johnny Sack’s Cabin at Big Springs, Idaho. Driving through the forest you would never know that there is a fresh water spring that generates 120 million gallons of water a day.
Johnny Sack was a 4’11” man who built the cabin, outhouse and water-wheel by hand. Johnny was born in 1884 and migrated from Germany with his parents, brothers and sisters in 1890. In 1909, Johnny and his brother road the train to Island Park, Idaho with aspirations of raising cattle on Henry Lake flat. As time pasted and after spending time in the military, Johnny began building his cabin on one of the 30+ sites available that he leased for $4.15 a year.
Long winters made life interesting and lonely. Johnny would use cross country skies or snow shoes to travel 5 – 10 miles downstream to visit with friends at Mach’s Inn. Johnny spent all of his free time building beds, tables, chairs, lamp stands, and magazine racks using pieces of pine paneled bark inlay. Because of all of his hard work, Johnny was never married since “a woman would only put rugs over the varnished floors and drapes on the picture windows”.
Today as I look out the picture window, I can imagine what his life must have been like watching the rainbow trout swimming around and the moose and ducks going down to the water’s edge. Sitting out on his porch would enable him to watch the Osprey and Eagles fly by going to their nests in the forests.
Looking at the small outside house with the water-wheel is incredible because not only was it built by hand but generates electricity for the house.
Today with electric tools the house could probably have been built in a couple of days however Johnny took 3 years to build it by hand with saws, draw knives, scrappers and planers. Knowing that everything was made by hand; still hanging is a ceiling lamp made out of 72 individual pieces of wood. Going up the small stairway leads you to a bedroom with a double bed made out of 96 pieces of wood that he nailed and glued together.
After spending time inside and out, it’s easy to see why Johnny loved this place so much. Johnny welcomed folks from around the world when they stopped by to see his very unique cabin.
Big Springs is one of 40 largest natural springs in the world and is a Natural National Landmark. After walking around the area it’s easy to see why Johnny Sack’s Cabin was registered in 1979 as part of the National Register of Historic places.
Anyone visiting the Island Park area should plan a day trip to visit Johnny Sack’s Cabin.
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