In 1880 John Tarleton discovered that a squatter had built a cabin on his ranch. Tarleton paid the man for the building before asking him to leave. This building became Tarleton's ranch headquarters. It was moved to the museum from the Patillo area. Tarleton willed $86,000 to establish Tarleton College when he died in 1895. In order to protect the period furnishings, an inner wall and insulation have been installed in the original building. John and David Laird donated the building to the museum in 1991. For an account of the life of John Tarleton click here.