Our Story
The House That Jack Built (AKA the Craftshop) is a cooperative organization managed by a community of artists and crafts people who call Stehekin home. For 43 years, the Craftshop welcomed visitors to Stehekin and operates in a tiny historic log cabin located at the Stehekin Landing.
Photo by Sarah Ehlen
Currently open most days. We hope to see you.
Our name, the House That Jack Built, is named after Jack Blankenship who came to Stehekin in 1907 as the first Forest Service ranger in the area. After retiring from the agency in 1920 he managed the Field Hotel located at the head of the lake and built a log cabin nearby. In 1926, the hotel was torn down in anticipation of Lake Chelan rising 21 feet with the construction of a new dam. Jack salvaged the materials and used them to build the Golden West Lodge located across the lake above the Stehekin landing. He also moved the log cabin, which eventually became the current location for the Craftshop.
Photo of Jack Blankenship
Members of the community, wanting to sell their creations, formed a co-op and opened the shop in 1977. During the year, co-op members make a wide variety of handcrafted items that fill the tiny log cabin during the summer when it is open. Members take turns working in the shop and enjoy interacting with visitors to the Stehekin Valley.
Photo by Nancy Barnhart