In a tract of woods on the Dougan's Hill Farm in Section 27, Turtle along Colley Rd., stood this delightful log cabin all newly built by Mr. Wesson J. Dougan as a home for the Christian associations of Turtle. Originally built for the boys, the "Turtle Pioneers," it is also used by the girls' organization. The cabin was dedicated in October, 1935. Amid the serene influences of nature and commanding a wide view of landscape, this gift of Mr. Dougan to the youth of Turtle is an ennobling and contribution to the life of the community.

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(Excerpted from The Round Barn, Vol 3, by Jacqueline Dougan Jackson)

Ron Dougan turned over the leadership of the Turtle Pioneers (Scouting troop) to Roy and Fannie Veihman and they formed the Turtle YMCA. Initially, meetings are held at the various members' homes, but the group was too large. They needed a clubhouse.

They contact W J Dougan about building a cabin in the woods on his Hill Farm property (where the Veihman's lived). W.J. gives his consent.

One Sunday afternoon five or six of the  boys meet at the Hill Farm with W.J. and the Veihmans. In at least a foot of snow they set out for the thickest part of the woods, until they find a spot that is fairly open. They mark off the dimensions of the cabin. W.J. designates certain trees which can be cut down for the project.

When the snow melts it is discovered that a mistake had been made or they didn't realize how serious W.J. had been about the trees. In addition, the dimensions of the cabin had shifted.

W.J. is upset and following a lecture tells them to cease work while he reconsiders his original offer.

With the Veihmans persuasively asking and the boys expressing their remorse, W.J. gives his approval again, but with caveats. The plans are carefully reviewed, he supervises every tree cutting, and he watches on every work day until the structure is far enough along that there will be no more surprises.

The group hasn't enough money to build a cabin. Each boy agrees to bring eight poles from their farm for framing the building. Because many of the logs were too short to lay horizontally they are placed upright. A fireplace is built out of field stone. As a reconciliation gift, W.J. presents them with a long oak plank, 2 inches thick and seven inches wide to use as a mantle.

The floor is left dirt. A stove is made out of a metal barrel, some stovepipes, and legs. The boys raise some money to buy corrugated metal for the roof.

In the Spring some of the logs start sprouting, which are just peeled off. Enough light came in through the windows that they also discover they had placed the cabin on a thistle bed.

After several years the old cabin is torn down (except the fireplace). WP&L donates some utility poles and runs electricity to the site. Carpenters and masons donate their services and W.J. agrees to some additional trees being felled to accommodate the larger structure. The boys pour a cement floor.

The cabin was also used by the community and could be available for gatherings.

After the Veihmans retire the Clinton Y takes over.