A centerpiece of the “IKES” cabin is its National Fireplace.
In 1933 Mr. E.E. (Earl) Woodhouse conceived the idea of building a “club house” to serve as an emblem of conservation for future generations. In 1935 at the direction of the Chapter president Dr. R.L. J. Kennedy cabin building committees were established including: general committee chairman – Earl Woodhouse, electrical – George Morrison, plumbing – H. Maas, brick and stone masonry – W. Newsome, painting – E. Langton, heating – H. Priefer, and Engineering – John J. Kerr. Funds were solicited from members and the community. Property in the Silver Lake Park Lagoon was purchased in June of 1936 for $237. Construction began shortly thereafter and the cornerstone was laid on September 13th of that year. However, the cabin was not complete because Earl Woodhouse had another idea.
In keeping with the cabin serving as an emblem of conservation, Earl proposed the construction of a National Fireplace built from all 48 states. The premise was that the fireplace constructed of stones selected by fellow IKES. This idea was well received by the membership and he proceeded to send letters of request to the Izaak Walton League Divisions of all 48 United States as well as Mexico and Canada. Stones were to be 8x10x6 inches and be inscribed with the state initials. This request was received with enthusiasm and resulted in stones from all states plus Alaska, Mexico and Canada being used in the construction of the National Fireplace. The fireplace was completed in April of 1938 and has burned bright ever since as a beacon of conservation to all who have been warmed by its hearth.
It is apparent from the correspondence between Earl Woodhouse and the state chapters that much care and consideration was taken in selecting the stones. Two themes describe the types of stones that were selected. One group of stones came from natural areas of particular beauty and importance and a second group from areas or ruins of historical significance.
Natural Areas
Alaska - “The stone was taken from St. Paul Island, Alaska, and was removed from one of the largest fur seal rookeries on the beach at that point. For your information, St. Paul Island is the largest of a group of islands comprising the Pribiloffs, and is situated in the Bering Sea approximately 300 miles to the west of the mainland of Alaska”.
Indiana - “It is typical of the State of Indiana – it comes from the Indiana limestone district: - is known as Oolitic Limestone. It comes from a cave formation and is beautifully cut by nature.”
Mexico – “I am now engaged in securing a good specimen of ‘Mexican Stone’ from the Sierra Madre for your fireplace, and will communicate with you in due time.”
Michigan – This is one of the Michigan’s natural granite stones taken from the City of Detroit’s Rouge Park; one of the most noted and beautiful parks of the state.”
Oregon – “This rock was secured directly below the world famous Multnomah Falls on the Columbia River Highway 32 miles east of Portland, Oregon.
Tennessee – “I procured this stone from the Unaka National Forest, about 5 miles east of the city of Erwin, Tenn. and on the top of a mountain locally called ‘BeautySpot’ which is 5,200 Ft high from this mountain one can see far into N. Car. and the surrounding country of Tenn.”
South Dakota – “I have just returned from the Black Hills where I obtained a fine piece of rose quartz about the correct size.”
Historical Areas
Georgia - “The stone came from the property of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation for infantile cripples, which as you know is one of the most noted places in Georgia.”
Maryland -“I have on hand a stone which is interesting to a large part of Maryland as it was used in the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal which runs nearly the whole length of the southern edge of the state. This Seneca Sandstone (red) and is no doubt one hundred years old.”
Montana - “I have secured a stone from the very site of the Alder Gulch gold discovery at Virginia City, Montana. This town is on the original capital of Montana. Gold was discovered by Wm. H. Fairweather on May 26, 1863, and since that date there has been over one hundred million dollars worth of gold taken from that vicinity.”
Ohio - “It was secured from the site of Old Fort Harmar, which was located at the mouth of the Muskingum River where it empties into the Ohio River. Marietta as you probably know is the oldest city in the Northwest Territory which originally included the areas of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and part of Wisconsin.”
South Carolina - “This stone was taken from the site of the Rebecca Motte home near Fort Motte, South Carolina, and the following excerpt from page 127 of ‘The History of South Carolina’, which was written by William Gilmore Simms, describes an engagement with the British at that point in 1781.”
In 1933 Mr. E.E. (Earl) Woodhouse conceived the idea of building a “club house” to serve as an emblem of conservation for future generations. In 1935 at the direction of the Chapter president Dr. R.L. J. Kennedy cabin building committees were established including: general committee chairman – Earl Woodhouse, electrical – George Morrison, plumbing – H. Maas, brick and stone masonry – W. Newsome, painting – E. Langton, heating – H. Priefer, and Engineering – John J. Kerr. Funds were solicited from members and the community. Property in the Silver Lake Park Lagoon was purchased in June of 1936 for $237. Construction began shortly thereafter and the cornerstone was laid on September 13th of that year. However, the cabin was not complete because Earl Woodhouse had another idea.
In keeping with the cabin serving as an emblem of conservation, Earl proposed the construction of a National Fireplace built from all 48 states. The premise was that the fireplace constructed of stones selected by fellow IKES. This idea was well received by the membership and he proceeded to send letters of request to the Izaak Walton League Divisions of all 48 United States as well as Mexico and Canada. Stones were to be 8x10x6 inches and be inscribed with the state initials. This request was received with enthusiasm and resulted in stones from all states plus Alaska, Mexico and Canada being used in the construction of the National Fireplace. The fireplace was completed in April of 1938 and has burned bright ever since as a beacon of conservation to all who have been warmed by its hearth.
It is apparent from the correspondence between Earl Woodhouse and the state chapters that much care and consideration was taken in selecting the stones. Two themes describe the types of stones that were selected. One group of stones came from natural areas of particular beauty and importance and a second group from areas or ruins of historical significance.
Natural Areas
Alaska - “The stone was taken from St. Paul Island, Alaska, and was removed from one of the largest fur seal rookeries on the beach at that point. For your information, St. Paul Island is the largest of a group of islands comprising the Pribiloffs, and is situated in the Bering Sea approximately 300 miles to the west of the mainland of Alaska”.
Indiana - “It is typical of the State of Indiana – it comes from the Indiana limestone district: - is known as Oolitic Limestone. It comes from a cave formation and is beautifully cut by nature.”
Mexico – “I am now engaged in securing a good specimen of ‘Mexican Stone’ from the Sierra Madre for your fireplace, and will communicate with you in due time.”
Michigan – This is one of the Michigan’s natural granite stones taken from the City of Detroit’s Rouge Park; one of the most noted and beautiful parks of the state.”
Oregon – “This rock was secured directly below the world famous Multnomah Falls on the Columbia River Highway 32 miles east of Portland, Oregon.
Tennessee – “I procured this stone from the Unaka National Forest, about 5 miles east of the city of Erwin, Tenn. and on the top of a mountain locally called ‘BeautySpot’ which is 5,200 Ft high from this mountain one can see far into N. Car. and the surrounding country of Tenn.”
South Dakota – “I have just returned from the Black Hills where I obtained a fine piece of rose quartz about the correct size.”
Historical Areas
Georgia - “The stone came from the property of the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation for infantile cripples, which as you know is one of the most noted places in Georgia.”
Maryland -“I have on hand a stone which is interesting to a large part of Maryland as it was used in the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal which runs nearly the whole length of the southern edge of the state. This Seneca Sandstone (red) and is no doubt one hundred years old.”
Montana - “I have secured a stone from the very site of the Alder Gulch gold discovery at Virginia City, Montana. This town is on the original capital of Montana. Gold was discovered by Wm. H. Fairweather on May 26, 1863, and since that date there has been over one hundred million dollars worth of gold taken from that vicinity.”
Ohio - “It was secured from the site of Old Fort Harmar, which was located at the mouth of the Muskingum River where it empties into the Ohio River. Marietta as you probably know is the oldest city in the Northwest Territory which originally included the areas of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and part of Wisconsin.”
South Carolina - “This stone was taken from the site of the Rebecca Motte home near Fort Motte, South Carolina, and the following excerpt from page 127 of ‘The History of South Carolina’, which was written by William Gilmore Simms, describes an engagement with the British at that point in 1781.”
