Meet Southern Illinois' First Environmentally Friendly Cabin Rentals

In 1974 inspired by teachings and philosophy of R Buckminster Fuller and aided by the GI Bill and the Illinois State Veterans Scholarship, Ed, a Vietnam veteran, enrolled in the Design Department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His studies in design, architecture, and “appropriate technology” (solar, wind, biomass, etc.) of that era evolved into a career of contracting, with a focus on environmentally friendly materials and energy conservation.

Ed settled near Panther’s Den, a truly beautiful place here in southern Illinois. In the late '80’s the poorly drafted Shawnee National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) , that would affect the management of the Shawnee National Forest for years prompted him to join the Sierra Club in their efforts in to overturn some of the most egregious parts of the management plan. The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations were able to lobby congress, with the support of then Congressman Glenn Poshard, to pass a bill that would designate seven areas of the Shawnee National Forest as permanently protected Wilderness. In 1990, President George H W Bush signed that bill into law. As for Panther’s Den and other areas of the Shawnee National Forest this meant there was to be no more timber harvesting and motorized use, but instead environmental preservation.

The Creole House of Rocky Comfort Cabins has all the environmentally friendly aspects that Ed learned to appreciate in his early years at Southern Illinois University; from the house design, materials, and even solar powered energy. Also, it is located within walking distance of the beloved Panther’s Den wilderness area.