Inyo National Forest in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lon Chaney Cabin
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Lon Chaney Cabin Marker
Lon Chaney was a silent film actor in the roaring 1920's. He was known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" for his ability to transform himself into many different characters with cutting-edge makeup techniques.
Chaney also loved to relax and fish in the mountains. In 1929 he hired renowned architect Paul Revere Williams to design and build a summer cabin at a favorite family camp. Sadly, Chaney was only able to enjoy the cabin for a few months before his passing. In 1964 the location became part of the Congressionally designated John Muir Wilderness. The special use permit for the cabin expired in 1980 and the cabin subsequently reverted to government ownership.
Lon Chaney Cabin is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a program that helps protect and identify America's historical and archaeological resources.
Please help us protect and preserve this historic landmark by not writing, carving, drawing or otherwise damaging the structure.
Erected by Inyo National Forest.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
this page online
Location. 37° 8.142′ N, 118° 27.945′ W. Marker is in Inyo National Forest, California, in Inyo County. It can be reached from Glacier Lodge Road, 10 miles west of the town of Big Pine. From Big Pine Creek Trailhead, hike six miles round-trip. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4024 Glacier Lodge Rd, Big Pine CA 93513, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Parcher's Rainbow Camp / Rainbow Pack Outfit (approx. 6.1 miles away); Inyo County Hospital and Farm (approx. 9½ miles away); Big Pine Cemetery District (approx. 9½ miles away); Keough’s Hot Springs (approx.
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Lon Chaney Cabin Marker
Regarding Lon Chaney Cabin. Architect Paul R. Williams (1894-1980) was one of the foremost architects in Los Angeles in the mid-twentieth century. He practiced largely in Southern California and designed the homes of numerous stars including Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball. He also designed many public and private buildings. Williams became the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1923.
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Lon Chaney Cabin
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Lon Chaney Cabin
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. Lon Chaney Cabin
Photographed by Craig Baker
6. Lon Chaney Cabin
Photographed by Craig Baker
7. Trail to the Cabin
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
