Job Carr Cabin Museum
Our Mission
Through diverse perspectives and interactive experiences, the Museum uses Job Carr’s story to open the door to Tacoma’s history for students and our community.
Job Carr Cabin Museum is housed in a replica of Tacoma's first permanent non-Native residence, on land that traditionally belonged to the Puyallup people. It was built in 2000, near the original site of Carr’s frontier home.
With our interactive living history museum and programming, we educate students and visitors about the people, industries, and events that shaped our neighborhood – and Tacoma as a whole. We aim to portray an accurate account of Tacoma’s non-Native settlement's history and its effects.
Who was Job Carr?
Job Carr, the first non-native permanent settler of Tacoma, was born in Gloucester County, New Jersey, on July 2, 1813. As a young man, he moved to Indiana, where he met and married Rebecca Pitman. They had four children: Anthony, Howard, Maggie, and Marietta.
When the Civil War began, Carr’s strongly- held abolitionist sentiments triumphed over both his pacifist Quaker religion and his forty-seven years, and he joined the Union Army, along with both his sons. He was wounded twice, the second time seriously, and his wife brought him home to Indiana to recover. He had served almost three years.
After his recovery he moved to Iowa, where he bought a fruit tree nursery, but his wife refused to come with him. They later divorced.
When Job heard that the government had authorized construction of a railroad to the Pacific Northwest, he decided to seek his fortune on the shores of Puget Sound. He sold his nursery, bought a team of oxen, and aimed his wagon west. He arrived in Olympia, Washington, in late 1864. He was fifty-one years old.
One of Job’s favorite stories was about how he found the land he chose to claim on Christmas Day. He and several companions went fishing near Gig Harbor, paddling their canoe along the shoreline of Commencement Bay upon their return. Seeing a portion of land that was gently-sloped with low-bank waterfront access, Carr stood up in the canoe and shouted “Eureka! Eureka!” He knew he’d found his new home.
Job claimed 168 acres on the gamble that the railroad would choose to locate its terminus there. He began construction of a log cabin, meanwhile living under a shelter of cedar bark with his yellow cat, Tom.
Land Acknowledgement
We are thankful to the Puyallup Tribal Language Program for providing the Lushootseed translation of the land acknowledgement signage at the museum.
We gratefully acknowledge that this museum, and Job Carr's original cabin, were both constructed on the traditional lands of the Puyallup people, where they make their home and speak the Lushootseed language.
- Cabin Leaders
We are led by a dedicated Board
Officers
Dana Peregrine
President
Erin O'Donnell
Secretary
Dan Beasley
Treasurer
Directors
Jason Allen
Tyler Carr
Sierra Hartman
Andy Hunthausen
Andrea Welsh
Rick Carr
Honorary/Advisory Member
Karen Poole
Honorary Member
Staff
Executive Director
Program Manager
Volunteer & Visitor Services Coordinator
#JobCarrEureka
In 2014-15, we celebrated 150 years since Job Carr's "Eureka!" moment, when he decided to stake his claim on the site that became "Tacoma City" and built a cabin on the shores of Commencement Bay.
Read about the historic moment and Job, the man, in this News Tribune article.
2014 Mayoral Proclamation
Whereas Job Carr was the first non-native settler to build a permanent residence on the shores of Commencement Bay, traveling 3,000 miles on the Oregon Trail to settle in Puget Sound 150 years ago because he believed there was opportunity here;
Whereas, Job Carr comprehended not only the beauty of Tacoma, but also its potential as a port city…
Whereas, Job Carr was recognized by the early settlers of Tacoma as a civic leader, and became Tacoma’s first Mayor, Postmaster, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace…
Whereas, Job Carr originally claimed 168 acres of land that now consists of Old Town Tacoma and the North Slope, and set an example of generosity and hospitality to be admired and emulated, by welcoming any and all visitors to his home…
Whereas, Job Carr remained a staunch Tacoma booster – even when the Northern Pacific Railroad terminus was placed 2.5 miles south of Tacoma City – continuing to sing Tacoma’s praises to any who would listen until his death in 1887…
Whereas, Tacoma’s community leaders have preserved the memory of Job Carr and his accomplishments throughout several generations, and Job Carr’s story still inspires Tacoma’s third and fourth grade students; and
Whereas, Tacoma has become the world-class port that Job envisioned, and the beauty of our city still inspires new residents to find opportunity here;
Now, Therefore, I, Marilyn Strickland, Mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim November 1, 2014 as “Job Carr Day.”
