It’s a special delight to run across an interesting and unusual spot in your own town. I just learned that right in Old Town Park, just a block from where it originally stood, is a replica of Job Carr’s cabin. Um, who? And, what?

Well, turns out that old Job was Tacoma’s first Euro-American settler, plopping himself down, in 1865, in what is now Old Town Tacoma. A permanently disabled veteran of the Civil War, Carr made his way from Indiana to Commencement Bay, purportedly exclaiming “Eureka! Eureka!” when he spied the future Tacoma.

He built himself a cabin, got himself a cat—Tom, of course—and got down to the business of making his claim. His cabin is now a museum with all his pioneer stuff, some great old musical instruments, and some audio musical samples of the music of Carr’s day.

If you ever wondered what Old Town looked like when it wasn’t so old, a visit to Job Carr’s home will give you a glimpse. You can also check out the Job Carr Museum as well.

Cheers,
Dale

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