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SHAY'S BLACKSMITH SHOP & CANARY COTTAGE John C Shay settled in Grub Gulch at the turn of the 20th century to mine gold. When his mining efforts failed he homesteaded the land, built this shop and started blacksmithing. He serviced the numerous wagons, stages and horse travelers that passed through on their way to Yosemite. Shay built his home known as Canary Cottage named for the golden finches that flay through the area. In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt traveled through Grub Gulch on his way to Yosemite and Shay saluted him with volleys of rifle fire from the front porch. Shay returned to San Francisco in the 1920s and the property was bought by the Evert Hinshaw Company that provided gasoline, oil, home cooked meals, pies, room rentals, and operated "Standard High Sierra Saddle Tours." In 1928 the property was purchased by the Elam family whose descendants still occupy the house and are ranching to this day. Dedicated in the year 2013 E Clampus Vitus Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 Monument is in Ahwahnee, California, in Madera County on Grub Gulch Road, (Road 600) on the right when traveling north a ways before Homestead Cottages. |