Mark Andre was marking trees in a remote section of the Arcata Community Forest when he discovered something very curious – a cabin. It wasn’t a vacation rental but rather a properly set up house. You can’t see it unless you’re less than 100 feet away from it, because it blends in perfectly with its surroundings. “It’s in the perfect out-of-the-way spot where it wouldn’t be detected,” Mark said, according to a report by Mad River Union. There aren’t any clues pointing to the house – no trash nor trails – and the space, although small, was complete and uncluttered. The only pieces of identification were a driver’s license with two different names and a shipping label. Other items found in the tiny house include a vintage typewriter, a copy of Frank Abagnale’s *Catch Me If You Can*, and a piece of paper titled ‘Different Everywhere,’ featuring a photo of a nude woman with a knife in hand and some text, available below. The area hasn’t been logged since 1984 and is due for a harvest. This means that the property will likely be removed. The inhabitant received a paper notice and quickly moved out. Scroll below to find out what they left behind.Mark Andre was marking trees for harvest in this dense and remote area of the Arcata Community Forest when he came upon something strange.
Mark found a tiny cabin built upon a concrete block foundation. The last time he’d been in the area was 1985, and it wasn’t there before. The walls were made of plywood, and tarps and other sorts of plastic sheeting were used to keep the interior intact. A peek inside revealed that the cabin was much more than a shoddy getaway.
Environmental Services Forest Technician Javier Nogueira, Forest Tech Nick Manfredonia, and APD Park Ranger Heidi Groszmann combed through thick brush and branches to relocate the site. They found themselves in a predicament – enter without a search warrant or leave knowing that someone might be in there without any aid. The small team decided to head in, but they had to cut the padlock on the front door first. No one was inside, and they were shocked to find the place tidy and furnished.
Check out this beautiful view. Despite not having the latest and greatest, it’s easy to imagine contentment in this place.
Whoever dwelled in the tiny home seemed to have a knack for organization. The pantry was perfectly organized with all labels facing forward.
They also found lanterns scattered about the space, a small stove, and a vintage Royal typewriter. If you think about it, the location is ideal for writers and artists.
On one shelf, they found a small but interesting library, which included a dictionary, a book on medicinal plants, and a copy of Catch Me If You Can.
The cabin was sparsely decorated, but whoever lived there did enjoy some forms of entertainment, as indicated by this stack of cassettes. We still don’t know who this person is, but they’ve got excellent taste in music.
According to this list titled ‘Things To Do and Get,’ someone has lived here since at least 2011. Despite being in a remote area, they kept themselves busy and managed to build out the space without anyone stopping or tracking them down.
Most curious was a sheet of paper titled ‘Different Everywhere.’ Here’s the text in full: “It’s an old story and a long one, that every community creates its own outlaws. Those individuals who, willingly or not, have not abided by the laws of the gods or the authorities have always been banished. The difference that was burnt at the stake by the Holy Inquisition is today constrained between the lines of traveling papers or an expulsion order, when not enclosed in an asylum or a prison. In contempt for those who would like to expel us or chain us up due to one of those descriptions (‘armed band’, ‘criminal association’) on which unanimous preventative condemnation comes down, we will carry our difference everywhere as individuals determined to subvert the rules of the community.” The team left behind a notice, which specified a deadline for the dweller to move out.
A few days later, the team spotted signs of movement. The next day, everything disappeared. We still don’t know how they were able to lug all the materials to build the cabin without being noticed.
They left behind two things: an inspiring way of living, in an idyllic space with minimal waste, and a symbol.
This is the international mark for squatting, usually used to indicate that a place has been used by a squatter before and that it can potentially be used for the same purpose again. Who knows where they’ve left off to now? The area is a nature refuge, so technically there shouldn’t be any buildings, but at the same time, they’re harvesting parts of it, probably more for upkeep than obliteration. Lots of things to consider. What do you think? Should this squatter have been allowed to stay at the property?
