North Cascades

SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE NORTH CASCADES

CORRIDORS OF SETTLEMENT: STEHEKIN RIVER

Keller

Adjoining Merritt's claim was Frank F. Keller's homestead. Keller and his wife settled in Stehekin in 1898, on land previously inhabited by a miner named Jim Scheuyeulle (T33N R17E, Section 25 SW 1/4, and 36, NW 1/4). In addition to Scheuyeulle's abandoned 1-room log cabin (12' x 16'), Keller's homestead had a 1-room log house (16' x 30'), a log cabin (10' x 10'), and a log barn (16' x 16'). Keller himself had plowed approximately five acres of land, fenced 40 acres, and put 20 acres "under ditch." For two years he resided on his claim year-round raising potatoes and other vegetables until he was appointed Chelan County Sheriff. His new position required him to live downlake, so in order not to lose his claim, Keller asked fellow settler J.W. Horton to remain on the land. Although initially rejected for homestead entry (because of Keller's absence from the claim), the land eventually passed to patent in 1907, giving Keller full title to the property. [212] Today, Keller's land is sub-divided into parcels honoring the early settler: "Keller's Park" and "Keller's Stehekin Homes" together comprise the former homestead.