JACKSON, Wyo. — After sitting on Karns Meadow for the past 11 years, the historic Mercer Cabin will be moved to its new home on Pearl Ave. this summer.
On Monday, June 2, Town Council agreed to authorize Jackson resident Zach Stern’s proposal to purchase the Mercer Cabin for $100. The review team members unanimously agreed that the proposal met all requirements and was preferable to demolition, per the staff report.
Stern agreed to relocating the cabin to a private residence on 234 East Pearl Ave. Staff notes state that Stern has also assumed all financial responsibility for the cabin, including the relocation, new site preparation, costs for required permits and any modifications needed to ensure structural integrity. The relocation will be carried out by experienced professionals specializing in historic structures.
In 2014, the Mercer Cabin was temporarily moved to Karns Meadow. In 2024, Town Council approved release of a request for proposal to purchase and relocate the cabin. According to staff notes, evaluation criteria prioritized preserving the historic cabin, keeping it local and keeping it visible to the public.
Bryan Gleason Architects wrote in a letter to the Town that the cabin will be situated near other historic structures on Pearl Ave.
“This setting offers a contextually appropriate backdrop that honors the cabin’s architectural and cultural significance,” Architect Bryan Gleason wrote. “This location not only provides a fitting and respectful environment for the structure but also ensures its continued care and preservation in a neighborhood that reflects Jackson’s historic character.”
According to Bryan Gleason Architects, upon relocation, the cabin will be renovated to ensure structural integrity with its original log construction, steep roofline and wavy shingles. Stern will situate the cabin so it’s visible, but it will not be open to the public.
“The cabin will be sensitively adapted for use as a private residence, occupied by the property owner and their guests,” Gleason wrote. “Interior updates will be carefully integrated to provide modern comfort without compromising the structure’s architectural significance.”
Removal of the cabin from Karns Meadow can occur once the foundation is completed on 234 East Pearl Ave., which is estimated for late June or July. The Town was required to relocate the cabin prior to the start of construction on Karns Meadow Park, which is currently scheduled for the spring of 2026.
