The McCoy Cook House

The McCoy Cook House. . This little house built by the McCoy's in 1861, at their ranch on the side of Kirker Pass, served as their first home. As time passed and the ranch became established, a much larger farmhouse was built for the family. It was then that the 2 room cottage became the "cook house". Inside, meals were prepared for the ranch hands during round-up and for the family, during the warm summer months, to keep the heat out of the main house. , At one time 5 people lived in this little house. Of course there was an outhouse, but you may wonder where they slept. Older children went to the barn in the warmer weather. For the adults, kitchen tables were folded up against the wall and springs and mattresses were lowered on the floor. Small children slept in cribs, or with their parents or under tables until they were too large. In those days, it was more important to have a good barn to protect the livestock, than it was to have a big house. , To your left you will see a mural that depicts a farm on the side of Kirker Pass, the original site of the "cook house". The building was move to the old Arata Ranch at the foot of Somersville Road and used by the Antioch School District as a display of pioneer living. In 2008 it was move to its present location on these museum grounds where it was restored to is current condition.