McGuffie Cabin

Old cabins in remote desert areas are fascinating glimpses into our history. But the story of the McGuffie cabin may surprise you. Venice McGuffie was born in Nebraska in 1890. She moved to Arizona sometime around 1930. In the late 1930s, she bought the mine near today's cabin. Venice worked her mine, which produced gold, silver, copper, and lead. Although Venice was married four times, she worked the mines herself. In 1945 she built the cabin at the cost of $1,000. She also built the dam near the cabin. For a while, she owned and operated the Congress Cafe, now Nichols West, in the tiny town of Congress near Wickenburg. Besides being a good miner, she was apparently a pretty good cook. In October 1983, Venice died in Wickenburg at the age of 93. Different offroad and historical groups have helped maintain the cabin since her death. Please respectfully enjoy the cabin when you visit.