Yukon Quest Log Cabin

The well-construct­ed, log cabin that houses the Alaskan headquarters of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race was constructed in 1958-59 and has been nicknamed the “All Alaska Cabin” because it was built entirely of Alaskan products. The log cabin was dedicat­ed in memory of Mr. George Nehrbas, a long­time Fairbanks resident and local business­man, whose idea it was to construct the build­ing. It was his direction and uncompromising spirit which brought the idea to reality. The Log Cabin was home to the Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau for many years. (#1 on walking tour)

The cabin measures 75 x 35 feet. The logs are native spruce and were cut at Rosie Creek, which is approximately 30 miles southwest of Fairbanks. Most of the ground in the Fair­banks area is permafrost—permanently fro­zen ground beneath the surface. The frozen ground prevents trees from gaining nutrients from the soil; therefore the trees don’t grow very large. The Rosie Creek area, where these trees were found, is permafrost-free which is why the logs are so large. The counter is made of birch wood. During the winter of 1983-84, the interior of the cabin was re­modeled. The interior doors and trim work, including the wainscoting, are all locally-pro­duced birch. The ceiling is 10-inch tongue-and-groove fir and the window frames are hand-finished 4x6” fir. The fir doors were made locally. The fireplace mantle was de­signed from an Alaska Railroad tie located near Healy. The rocks for the fireplace came from Denali National Park, approximately 120 miles south of Fairbanks. The roof is sod. Sod roofs were used by the early pio­neers to provide insulation during the cold winters and to grow gardens during the sum­mer—far from the reach of animals. This sod roof is watered and even mowed during the long summer days! One quarter of the build­ing sits on part of the Chena River which was built up for this purpose.