Martinson Cabin

Martinson Cabin. . The Martinson Cabin was originally a barn built in 1913 on the shore of Pelican Lake. It was built by either Laura A. Schave or Carl Torstenson as both owned the plat of land during that time. Older residents recalled it served as a lodge for local hunters. Developer Harry Roney later bought the barn and converted it into a house. Roney sold the land and moved the house to a nearby hill where he sold it to poet laureate and Non-Partisan League co-organizer Henry Martinson in 1927., Minneapolis-born Henry Martinson became a prominent figure in the North Dakota labor movement. He took up painting after trying his hand at farming and he became exposed to the growing socialist movement. He first joined the Socialist Party in 1908 and left to join the Non-Partisan League (NPL) in 1916 to fight large, private companies exploiting the production of local farmers. When not working at his office in Bismarck, North Dakota as the Deputy Labor Commissioner, Henry and his wife, Melba, came to their cabin. Neighbors remembered Henry for sitting on the stoop of his cabin and playing a fiddle in the evenings. Friends often joined in playing on the accordion and harmonica. After his death in 1981, his niece inherited the property and sold it to Marge and Norm Overby. The "Friends of Henry Martinson" was formed to raise funds and save the historical structure. They convinced the Overbys to donate Martinson's house to Bonanzaville., (Captions) , Henry Martinson Portrait, August 1980 , 1912 Dunn Township Plat Map featuring Laura Schave's property on Pelican Lake