Holy Jim and Trabuco Cabin Owners Association Cabins

Cabins

Trabuco 1
 This cabin has been owned by the same family for several generations. It is in original condition.

Cabin #1 in 1960
Cabin #1 in 1965
Cabin #1 in 1969 after major flood (note the horse!)
Holy Jim Fire Barn
 Cabin #4 (a.k.a. the Fire Barn) houses the Holy Jim Volunteer Fire Department. Thanks to a long term cabin owner, we've been able to post some nostalgic 'Canyon Wren' newsletters that discuss the Fire Barn in the early days. Some of these are a real hoot!
Canyon Wren Newsletters
Aug 1962 | Aug 1962 (cont.) Nov 1962
HJVFD First Meeting Aug 1963

Fire Barn in 1969 after major flood - 1
Fire Barn in 1969 after major flood - 2
Original drawing of the fire barn (from 1962!)
10
 Built by beloved canyon legend, Russ Makely, this cabin has seen many family and canyon gatherings over the years.
40
 Trabuco cabin 40 (aka the "Bee Keepers Cabin") was built in the late 1920's or early 1930's. It is still in mostly original condition and is eligible for historic status. Rumor has it that this cabin was initially populated by a beekeeper. It's referred to as the 'haunted' cabin for some unknown reason. Fortunately, no ghosts have been seen by the current owner.

Cabin #40 in 1991
41

This cute cabin sits on the largest lot of both the Holy Jim and Trabuco tracts and used to be home to a Boy's Club.

Cabin 41 Under Construction - Early 80's ??
Cabin 41 in 1985 - The Blue Days
Cabin 45 was threatened by a fire several years ago, but was saved with help from the Holy Jim Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Forest Service and OCFA.
Not much is known about cabin 15 except the fact that it is in original condition.
Cabin 23 Probably the most photographed cabin in the canyon, this picturesque stone cabin was hand-built by the previous owners. Chapman University students used the cabin as a location for a film.
Although long-time cabin owner Betty S. passed away a several years ago, this cabin will probably be known as "Betty's Cabin" for some time to come. Betty was an unforgettable lady and navigated the rough canyon road until she was well into her 80's.
Tragically, this log cabin was destroyed by a fire in early 2009. It will not be rebuilt.
Did you know?
  • Seven cabins were lost to fire in November, 1980.

  • Confederate Civil War Veteran, Josiah Clay Joplin, came to Orange County and had six sons here. He was a six term Treasurer for Orange County and organized the Trabuco and Olive School Districts. Today, Olive is known as the City of Orange. The little Trabuco Canyon School is the oldest in Orange County. He organized the Humane Society, and was the Director of the Santa Ana Board of Trade in 1889. His son Andrew killed the last Grizzly in Trabuco Canyon. Josiah Joplin passed away at age 88 and is buried in the Santa Ana Cemetery.

  • The last of Orange County's native grizzly bears was killed near the fork of Holy Jim and Trabuco Canyons in 1908. Its crime was stealing honey from the resident beekeepers.
  • A black bear was seen in the canyon in July 1995.

  • The annual Holy Jim auction was started back in the 1950's when cabin owner Jim Sleeper was elected to clean out a vacated cabin. There was such a collection of treasures in the cabin that Sleeper came up with the idea of an auction. The auction has since become an annual tradition.

  • The first Holy Jim auction was held in 1961 in the home of Charles Schlegel. $300.00 was raised.

  • One cabin owner has a tradition of hiking to Bear Springs each year and decorating a special pine tree with edible ornaments for the birds. Folks, this is not a trivial hike (10 miles total). Can you guess who it is?
    Click for Answer.

  • All the cabins used to be referred to by name rather than number. For example, there was the "Thank God It's Friday" cabin, the "Casa Verde" cabin, the "Life Begins at 40" cabin, the "Palsey Walsey" cabin and the "Cabin at the End of the Road". If you know your cabin's name, let us know.