At Orchard Canyon, we have 17 beautiful cabins that each have their own unique story. Have you ever thought to yourself during your stay, “I wonder what these walls would say if they could talk”? We’re excited to paint a picture of what we believe the answer might be.
In part one of our three-part cabin history blog series, we share the information we collected from former owners, Gary and Mary Garland as well as Mary Lou Todd, granddaughter of the original homesteader, Frank Todd. We are grateful to them for sharing their rich family history and the stories behind our seventeen cabins located just outside of Sedona, Arizona.
Cabins 1 & 2
Cabin #1 is the first cabin that Frank Todd, the original Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek homesteader, placed on the property. Frank built in twos, so cabin #2 is identical to cabin #1. Both cabins were originally forest service ranger cabins. Frank Todd took them apart and rebuilt them on the property in the 1930s. If you look closely at the outside of the cabins you can see “US” stamped on the logs.
You will find cabins #1 and #2 to be beautifully finished inside with varnished logs and renovated bathrooms. Former owners, Gary, and Mary Garland referred to cabins #1 and #2 as the honeymoon cabins because many people would return year after year and said they believe their families began in those cabins. These cabins are romantic and cozy.
Cabins 3 & 4
Cabin #3 has morphed over the years and comes with a long history of its own. The current cabin #3 is not the original, and it was first located in the cabin #4 spot.
The original #3 cabin was the smallest cabin, so former owners, Gary and Mary Garland, lovingly referred to it as the “hobbit” cabin. The story goes that Gary Garland was working in the lodge when a woman came in and said she needed a band-aid because she had busted her lip on the bathroom sink. Gary quickly realized the cabin was too small and it was time to remodel.
The current cabin #3 was a duplex with the current cabin #4. Both cabins are pole framed with varnished plywood and have beautiful and newly renovated bathrooms.
With the porch looking directly over Oak Creek, cabin #4 has been labeled a favorite by guests over the years. While the property was owned by the Garlands, the flood of 1993 had Gary concerned about the porch staying in place. He used railroad ties to hold the porch and you can still find them down by the creek today. When he awoke, he thought he would find the crossing and footbridge washed away. In the morning, both were still there. Gary credits great craftsmanship on the crossing to Frank Todd, the original homesteader.
Frank Todd’s granddaughter, Mary Lou, says cabins #3 and #4 were the first she and her two sisters learned to clean. It was in these cabins they learned how to make a bed. Frank Todd’s wife and Mary Lou’s mother helped plant the Douglas Fir trees outside the cabins. These cabins were a labor of love and always a family affair.
Cabin 5
If you have ever been a guest in cabin #5, you are aware of the two significant features that make it stand out amongst the rest of the cabins. The first is the glass gable. It was the first time the former owners, Gary and Mary Garland had tried this type of grand window in a cabin and they absolutely loved it. The massive window looks out onto the lower orchard and the way the sunlight shines through is magical. This glass and gable feature shows up again in the newest cabins built by the Garlands in the upper orchard.
The second special feature of cabin #5 is the elegant stone fireplace. Gary Garland used to collect unique rocks on his travels and explorations throughout Arizona and these rocks were used to build the stone fireplace.
On the porch of cabin #5, you will see chairs built out of redwood. These chairs were a design that Gary Garland’s father saw in England in Sir Winston Churchill’s backyard. In the first year that the Garlands owned the property, they built four dozen of these chairs in the basement of their house. You will find these chairs scattered throughout the property.
This is just the beginning of the history of our cabins in Sedona! In our next history post, you will learn why the cabins had to be built larger in size as time went on, why the original homesteaders’ grandchildren loved cabin #8, and which cabins on property were the very first built by Gary and Mary Garland.
Need a recommendation for an amazing Sedona resort? Check out Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek for your next Sedona vacation!
If you’ve never been to Sedona or if you are coming back to the area for your next vacation, we have to recommend you come and stay with us here at Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek. We have the luxury you’d expect from an indulgent weekend away but the rustic charm of an off-the-grid camping trip.
There are 17 cabins to choose from, each one is outfitted with all the luxury amenities you could want while being secluded enough to allow you all the privacy you could want.
Below are some more posts that we think you’ll enjoy if you are new to the area or visiting for a Sedona vacation or business trip!
Sedona Activities For Locals and Visitors Alike:
There is always something new and exciting happening in Sedona. If you are new to the area, coming into town on business, or staying with us for a wonderful Sedona vacation or honeymoon, you may want some activities to keep you busy. These posts will help guide you as you plan your perfect trip. You can get out and enjoy the outdoors, do some shopping, or take in all the natural beauty this region has to offer!
