In 1908, Em and Al Byrnes moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Hearst in Mendocino County, bringing with them friends and relations wishing to vacation in the backwoods of Mendocino County, along the banks of the Eel River. The place they bought had an old barn, a log cabin and a few other outbuildings. To accommodate all who wanted to be here, they erected tents alongside the first structure to be built after their arrival, their home, including a dining room in which to serve their guests. Remodeled through the years, it is still known as the Dining Room, with a large, airy commercial kitchen behind, office and library above, and basement below. This is also when they built the laundry room, behind the house. It, too, is still used 100 years later and is one of the most beautiful places to wash clothes, ever!

As time went on, Al built a garage, shops, a house for a friend (Pop), the barn and all of the cabins. He built the chairs, tables and benches that are still in the dining room, cabins, and outside areas. All the while, he and Emcreated a vigorous, working farm for themselves and their guests.  They grew and harvested hay for raising their meat, cultivated vegetables and fruit; milked the cows; gathered eggs; and did whatever it took to maintain the space for all the folks who loved their place in the country. Electricity was provided by a generator; heat by wood cut principally with handsaws; refrigeration by in a spring-box near the river. Mail was delivered three times a week. It took nearly four hours to get to town.