In 1885, Sen. Thomas Palmer gave his wife, Lizzie, a gift that has last more than 130 years: a log cabin.
The two-story cabin was built from oak logs in what is now known as Palmer Park, west of Woodward Avenue between McNichols and 7 Mile roads. It was designed by architects George D. Mason and Zachariah Rice, whose work also includes the Detroit Opera House, old Masonic Temple and Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
It was an escape from city life for the Palmers.
“They invited people from far and wide to come and see how life used to be in the olden days. So, they really looked at this place as being a people’s gathering place,” said Barbara Barefield, chair of events and marketing for People For Palmer Park.
The cabin looks like a typical rustic structure on the outside. But inside, it’s a different story.
To read more of this story, visit http://www.clickondetroit.com/uniquely-detroit/uniquely-detroit-the-story-behind-detroits-oldest-log-cabin
