Eugene and Mary’s baby daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was born December 2, 1846 near Rickreall. The Skinners stayed the winter with the Gilliam family before leaving for their cabin the following spring. Eugene wrote to his sister, “May 1847 moved with my wife and Child Mary then 5 mo. old, into our new home in the far off west.” It is reported that when Mary saw the small one-room cabin she told her husband, “Mr. Skinner, we’re going to have to make this cabin bigger. We have to add another room.” source1 source 2 source3

In fact, two rooms were eventually added to the cabin along with a door, window, and porches on the front and back. Their family was growing, and they needed more space. A daughter, Lenora, was born September 2, 1848. Even the area became more populated as Charnel Mulligan, T. G. Hendricks, and others stake their land claims near the Skinner’s.

In 1849, Eugene Skinner returned to Sacramento Valley near Sutter’s Fort. In fact, the population of the Oregon Territory decreased by two-thirds due to the Gold Rush in the California Territory, but Mr. Skinner soon returned to his family a bit richer.

Eugene and Mary Skinner had another daughter, Phoebe, who was born March 29, 1850. Eugene Skinner continued farming and also ran a ferry service across the Willamette River. Also in 1850, Skinner’s cabin was not only a trading post, but was established as a post office. The Skinner’s family was growing, as was the town. The family moved out of their cabin into an new home in 1850. source