Built by the American poet, essayist and fabulist Joaquin Miller, it represents the only known example of late 19th century Rustic-style log cabin in Washington, D.C.[2] It is a Classified Structure within Rock Creek Park.

[4] In 1911, the area near Meridian Hill Park was being developed and Henry White, the former ambassador to France, was building an estate on land that included the cabin.

[7] The state of California and the Columbia Historical Society sought to save the structure from demolition and have it moved to Rock Creek Park.

The board of the National Park Service refused the request but Senator John D. Works, and Joseph R. Knowland of California successfully intervened to force the Park Service to move the cabin to its present location near the east bank of Rock Creek one half mile north of Military Road.

[9] The cabin was initially used as a shelter and dedicated on June 2, 1912, with ceremonies featuring members of California's congressional delegation and Senator Weldon B. Heyburn of Idaho.