WATSON
CABIN
Watson Cabin Hours
Open June 1, 2026
Thursday-Sunday 11am-4pm
The Watson Cabin is listed on the National Register for Historic Places as the oldest log structure remaining in the North Lake Tahoe area. The cabin was built in 1908 by Robert Montgomery Watson, Tahoe City's first constable and his youngest son, Robert Howard Watson.
In 1979, the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society (NLTHS) and the Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) purchased Watson Cabin in the center of Tahoe City. The building remained a retail store for a number of years, but in 1988 the NLTHS signed an eighty-year lease with the TCPUD. In 1990, the NLTHS opened Watson Cabin as a living history museum, which is open to the public free of charge during the summer season.
Revitalize Watson Cabin Capital Campaign
Thanks to the North Tahoe Community Alliance, the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society was able to secure a grant through TOT-TBID dollars to restore the interior of the Watson Cabin. The interior of the cabin is now a small gift shop and museum accessible to the public Tuesda -Sunday 11 am-4 pm during the summer and early fall months.
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Phase 2 of our project is near completion! The lower half of the east side of the building has been updated with fresh, new logs. Thanks to this much needed restoration, the oldest log cabin in Tahoe City will continue to be around for generations to come. Although this much needed upgrade extends the life of the building, we need help to continue to maintain this historic log structure. Help us extend the longevity and beauty of the cabin by donating to Phase 2 of our campaign.
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To donate, simply click on any Donate button on our website
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OR send a donation in the mail to:
NLTHS
P.O. Box 6141
Tahoe City, CA 96145​