Sullishak Beach cabin - Lincoln Beach, Oregon

Preface by Dave Sullivan

Preface · book pages 5–6

The story of Sullishak is, at its heart, a family story. It began as a modest scrapbook compiled by my mother, Elsie Sullivan, who meticulously documented the adventures, travels, and daily activities of our family. Her handwritten title on the original scrapbook read: “Sullishan, later called Sullishak.” At least half the photos in this book come directly from the pages of that scrapbook, scanned from prints that captured countless memories.

Elsie Sullivan’s Original Scrapbook: A page from the early years of Sullishak, showing the meticulous records kept by Orma Sullivan of the cabin’s expenses and construction costs, alongside photos from 1947 of Wes and Elsie Sullivan building the cabin. This scrapbook was lovingly compiled by Elsie to preserve the family’s history and memories of Sullishak, capturing the spirit of those early days.
Elsie Sullivan’s Original Scrapbook: A page from the early years of Sullishak, showing the meticulous records kept by Orma Sullivan of the cabin’s expenses and construction costs, alongside photos from 1947 of Wes and Elsie Sullivan building the cabin. This scrapbook was lovingly compiled by Elsie to preserve the family’s history and memories of Sullishak, capturing the spirit of those early days.

Elsie wasn’t just the keeper of memories—she played an integral role in the building of the original cabin alongside my father, Wes Sullivan. Together, they faced the challenges of construction with grit and determination. My father took on much of the building work after returning from military service in World War II, but it was very much a partnership. Whether she was clearing brush, mixing mortar by hand, or keeping the family comfortable under difficult conditions, Elsie’s contributions were just as essential as Wes’s.

Around 2005, I asked my father to write a narrative to tie together the photos and stories that had been collected over the years. His words bring to life the building process, the family moments, and the connection we all share with Sullishak.

In addition to this printed history, the digital era brought a new dimension to preserving Sullishak’s legacy. My brother Steve Sullivan created the first website for Sullishak, originally at www.Sullishak.com and later at www.Sullishak.net. His work allowed our family to share the rich history of our retreat with a broader audience, preserving it for future generations. This printed book incorporates the excellent content that Steve developed for those websites, merging the physical and digital legacies of Sullishak.

This book is more than just a history of a cabin; it’s a reflection of the love, hard work, and family bonds that have shaped our retreat over the decades. As Sullishak continues to stand strong against the changing tides of time, we hope it will remain a place of peace, joy, and escape from the worries of the world for many generations to come.

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