This building, now a State Registered Historical Site, was Mason County's first courthouse. Built in 1849 by Burr Caswell, the territory's first permanent pioneer, it was the first frame house in Mason County. Burr Caswell, wife Hannah, who was part Native American, and their 4 children lived in this home. Six years after building the home (1855), Burr Caswell offered the first floor for county government use. The family moved upstairs. The main floor became the courtroom. Across the back of the first floor was a trading post and in the basement was the first jail. In 1861, when the location of the seat of government was moved to Lincoln Village, it reverted to a single-family residence.

The 'driftwood' out of which Mr. Caswell built the home, was either released from sawmills, which might have had a minor flaw, or it came from overloaded lumber schooners, which had been wrecked during storms on the lake.

Picture at right is a Swedish Barn Rug Loom. This hand-hewn loom from Sweeden is put together with bolts and wood pegs. This type of loom was used by traveling weavers who would go from farm to farm and make rugs. The loom could be knocked down flat to be placed in the back of a wagon. It is called a barn loom because it was too large to store in the house, so it was placed in the barn.