Experts believe that this cabin may have been built for Russian farmers who arrived here from Alaska. According to the report, this structure in the Molalla area could have appeared as early as 1795, ten years before Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805. The style of the cabin differs from that of American pioneers, indicating its foreign origin. The authors of the report suggest that it may have been used by Russian settlers from Alaska engaged in agriculture to supply food to fur traders.

The architecture of the cabin does not conform to the building methods of eastern pioneers and clearly indicates Russian origins. The wooden logs are tightly interwoven without the use of nails, leaving no gaps. The cabin is expertly assembled: the boards fit perfectly, making it suitable for winter. If necessary, it can be easily disassembled and reassembled in a new location, indicating its mobility.

Olson and Hayden suggested that the 18-foot cabin could have served as a home for a small group of 10-50 Russian settlers sent to the Willamette Valley in Oregon to supply food for hunters on Kodiak Island in Alaska. Throughout its history, the cabin in Molalla may have been used as a home, shelter for animals, barn, or granary.

In 2008, the roof of the cabin collapsed, and for its preservation, the structure was moved to a special facility. Specialists are currently working on the reconstruction of the historic house.

In Oregon, such 'colonial' Russian houses are considered landmarks.