Between Then and Now

Due to its small size (and the growing amounts of incoming emigrants), and several floods, First House was dismantled and the adobe brick section was used to construct the nearby Blacksmith Shop. However, the foundations of the structure were left behind for future archaeologists to find. The foundation was uncovered during excavations in the 1940's and later covered over, except for a small portion under glass through which visitors viewed a small portion of the wall shaped by Dr. Whitman's own hands.