Community & Real Estate
Rediscovering cabins:
Classic concept gets an upgrade

Lake Martin reached its first full pool in 1926. Roughly ten years later, the first “fish camp” cabin was placed on a piece of land that is now part of Russell Lands On Lake Martin. Over the years, more cabins were added as more people were attracted to one of the largest lakes in the country.

Lots of people approached the folks at Russell Mills about locating a spot on the lake for a rental cabin. These cabins came to be known as “Russell Cabins.” Early interest came first from families associated with “The Mill” itself, but quickly spread to families from Montgomery and Birmingham. Eventually, some corporations even tried leasing a cabin to help lure a new executive to Alabama. Interest grew over the years until roughly 350 cabins dotted the 250 miles of shoreline owned by Russell Lands.

The cabins were small, very rustic, and with few creature comforts. Water was drawn from the lake and power lines snaked through the woods to deliver utilities to their shelter next to Lake Martin. Those Russell Cabins are located on large lots, hidden in mature timber with terrific water access. Even though the cabins were only available “for rent,” the demand was intense. Some families waited years for cabins to become available.  Fifty-year renewals of a one-year lease were not uncommon. For families desiring more space, Russell Lands would allow, or make, additions and incorporate those additions in the rental rate.

While the world has changed a great deal since the 1930s, Russell Cabins seem to have been frozen in time. Interstates may have been built across the nation, but the same dirt roads provide access to the Russell Cabins. “McMansions” fill suburban neighborhoods (and a few of our neighborhoods), but Russell Cabins still sit humbly in the forest. While time seems to move faster and faster, Russell Cabins remain a testament to a tried-and-true lake lifestyle.

As attractive and humble as these cabins are, many people desire slightly more space and features which these older cabins do not provide. Therefore, an upgrade was in order for the next generation of cabins. Any upgrade had to maintain that rustic, modest look in order to be added to the Russell Cabin list. It is not easy creating a design that is attractive, functional and “cabiney” all at the same time.

An important resource available to us was Bobby McAlpine, a long-time lake tenant and very talented architect. When questioned how cabins ought to be designed, that would fit both the demands of the modern lake user while maintaining its humble roots, he sketched a cabin concept for us. This concept included three very livable floorplans with the simple, modest look demanded by lovers of Russell Cabins.

Bobby worked with Bill Farshee (an approved designer) to create the final building plans. In 2006, four cabins were built in Nichols Cove near Kowaliga Bridge. Each of the cabins was leased for five years. The four tenants loved the new larger cabins (with 2,000 square feet of indoor living and 1,000 feet of outdoor living) commenting that the blend of creature comforts built with rustic materials on large, private lots was “ideal for their family and friends.”

But the new design was only one part of the upgrade. Over the years, the most asked question on Lake Martin was, “Can I buy my Russell Cabin?” As the leases expired on the Nichols Cove cabins the answer was a tentative “yes.” After several months of discussion, and approval from Elmore County for an “experimental” neighborhood, (we wanted to keep the dirt roads) we agreed to sell the four cabins and provide seven additional lots for folks who wanted to build a variation on the original design.

We thought that, in this market, we would have to be patient in selling these cabins. It turns out the upgrade in design was an instant hit. All four cabins have been sold and we are in the process of building five more – all for people thrilled to own a Russell Cabin. Everything has gone exceptionally well – other than that it all happened so fast, we had a number of people fuss at us for not letting them know that these cabins were available.

Next time, we plan to spread the word.