JOSHUA & WILL’S TREEHOUSE
The treehouse was built in 1983 when Stephen and Cheryl’s sons, Joshua and Will, were in elementary school. Joshua was nine years old and Will was six. Their three cousins, Jake, Kate, and Morgan, were also regular visitors, donating their time and hammers. At the time, Joshua and Will were hooked on Hardy Boys Mysteries. Many of the ideas for the tree house, which the boys helped build, were gleaned from these books. The treehouse features a sliding bookcase with a secret room, as well as a trap door leading from the second floor to the ground. At one time there was a cable attached to the treehouse so the children could slide down a pulley and drop into the tree house pond. The cable has since been moved to Clare, Quinn, and Isla’s treehouse by the large pond. There was also an escape slide from the second floor, as well as a bridge from the third floor into a 100 year old willow tree (the bridge was destroyed when the willow tree fell over in 2006). Many a boy scout campout was held here.
Joshua hard at work on the second floor of the treehouse.
The three story treehouse begins to take shape.
Joshua and Will, as well as our dogs Bodie and Shaniko, hard at work.
Windows and siding are added to the third floor of the treehouse.
Will is playing on the second floor of the treehouse just prior to the final step in the construction project. Only the railings on the second and third floors remain to be built. Railings were also added to the stairs.
The final stage was to furnish the interior of the main room and sleeping loft. Can you spot the secret room? The secret room is where Will and Joshua hung out with their cousins and friends reading comic books.
Feathered guests move into the attic of the treehouse.
Joshua and Will’s treehouse is still weathering the elements 35 years after its competition!
