Property Watch: An Itty-Bitty, Off-Grid Cabin on Shaw Island – Seattle Met

Have you been dreaming about a tinycabin in the woods? This property on Shaw Islandhas 10 acres of forest, plateaus, and knollsand a 360-square-foot cabin.

Out of the four islands served by the San Juan ferry, Shaw is the smallest and least developed, and the most off-grid you can go on the islands without needing (or chartering) your own boat. Very few tourists come here; the only available short-term accommodations are the campsites in Shaw Island County Park or, before the Covid-19 pandemic, guesthouses for those committed to immersing themselves in the labor and prayer of Our Lady of the Rock, a 300-acre womens Benedictine monastery and farm.

Near the ferry dock, theres a general store with antique furnishings and its original century-old fir floors, carrying products by local farms and artisans, as well as general provisionsthis is the entire business district. Farther in, theres a library and historical museum anda fire station; residents alsohave access to a school and community center. Thats it. No movie theaters, clothing boutiques, cafes, or other general trappings of civilization.

Theres plenty of room to build a more traditional home on the property (power and phone lines go up to the property line, so available local utilities are immediately available). The cabin itself, however, benefits from a private well on the property. That's about it. Heat comes from a small wood stove, and light from a fuel lamp and any lanterns or flashlights you choose to bring. As for the bathroom situation: Theres a pit toilet about 25 feet behind the cabin surrounded by 10-foot evergreen trees and curtains. According to the owner, it airs out very well.

Custom-built in 2000, the cabin is full of little artisan touches. Tile on a counter along the back wall and around the stove is reclaimed cracked porcelain, filled in with small rocks. The limited kitchen areathe wood stove is the only stove, and theres no running waterhas cute, custom wood cabinetry. The sleeping loft, nestled up in the exposed beams, has a built-in bedside table in the corner, with shelves and drawers above.

Its facing downslope to the east, so it takes in plenty of morning light, supplemented by light to the south. Dormer windows cast some additional ambient light below and give the sleeping loft, which also has a few west-facing windows, a nice view.

This property is part of the Tibbs Landing community, which gives it access to a private beach and a common area. But dont worry, its not decked out like a city HOA would be; the unpaved road to the property is regularly maintained, but its still an unpaved road. Even if you decide to build up some modern conveniences out here, youll have a super-secluded retreat.

0 Tibbs Rd, Shaw IslandSize: 360 square feet/9.9 acres, 1 loft/1 outhouseList Date: 8/6/2021List Price: $475,000Listing Agents: Jon Boyer, Offshore Properties

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Property Watch: An Itty-Bitty, Off-Grid Cabin on Shaw Island - Seattle Met