At the turn of the 20th century, John C Shay settled in Grub Gulch to mine gold. When his mining efforts failed, he homesteaded the land, built a blacksmith shop, and serviced the many wagons, stages, and horse travelers passing through on their way to Yosemite. He also built his home, known as Canary Cottage, named for the golden finches that flew through the area. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt traveled through Grub Gulch on his way to Yosemite, and Shay saluted him with volleys of rifle fire from the front porch. Shay returned to San Francisco in the 1920s, and the property was bought by the Evert Hinshaw Company, which provided gasoline, oil, home-cooked meals, pies, room rentals, and operated Standard High Sierra Saddle Tours. In 1928, the Elam family purchased the property, and their descendants still occupy the house and continue ranching there.