The McKinny Mountain Neighborhood

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Many decades ago, the mountain that lies to the Southwest of highway 20 was known as McKinny Mountain, and the neighborhood in its shadow was known as the Mckinny Mountain Community. It was named for settler John Mckinny, who arrived in the valley in 1892. He kept a detailed diary during this year, and as such, we know great deal about his life. This diary features names and addresses of his neighbors as well as a diligent record of the weather, including a hand drawn chart that chronicled snowfall in the area. He staked his claim on April 2, 1892, and was aware that over the next couple of months, he would be in a race against the weather to construct a permanent, sturdy homestead before winter. He was successful, and his diary communicates his pride at finally getting to sleep in "my own cabin". The remains of his cabin are still visible near the source of hancock spring. Later, John Mckinny operated one of the valley's first sawmills, in partnership with Charles Randell. This would be the beginning of a boom in sawmill activity, as new ones were constructed wherever incoming settlers staked their claims, processing the wood used to build and furnish their homes. Settlers in this area included Mar Perrine, the Morrow family, the Hancox family, the Allen family, Julius Ramm, Lester Holloway, Harry Briggs, and Paul Schenk. The remains of many of their properties are scattered along Wolf Creek Road, and the present day accommodations at Brown's Farm, which sit at the top of Wolf Creek Road just off of Highway 20, are built on land formerly occupied by the Allens.

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