This single-pen log house was originally located on Dunbean Hill on the Old Federal Road between Jasper and Tate. Dunbean Hill was named for Charles “Tsali” Dunbean, a Cherokee who was forced to relocate to Oklahoma in 1838 during the Cherokee Removal. It is thought that he was the builder of the cabin, which would likely date it in its original form to the mid-1830s. The Dunbean Hill property was purchased in 1862 by Stephen Kirby who established the first school in Pickens County, known as Kirby Academy. Around 1870, Kirby expanded the cabin to accommodate his growing family.
Former Congressman Ed Jenkins discovered the log cabin among the ruins of a burned out house on Dunbean Hill and gave the remains to Tom Quinton, a Jasper County Middle School teacher, who restored it for future use as an educational site. After Quinton’s death, the cabin was moved to this location.
Tom Quinton & Ed Jenkins were both among the finest men Pickens County ever claimed. I remember Tom Quinton reading us elementary school kids stories in that cabin. He was justifiably proud of getting the chance to save it. He passed away at the school one day when I was in 6th grade. My mother worked for Ed Jenkins before he went to the House of Representatives, and I knew him when I was younger. He was a humble man and loving father, respected by his colleagues and loved by his hometown.