Built in 2012 beside a private, six‑acre lake, the Retreat at the Gambrel rests amid rolling hills on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest’s Trail of Tears in Jonesboro, Illinois. Family‑owned and operated, the cabin’s very location and name were inspired by my grandfather—fondly called “Doc”—whose love of the outdoors was legendary. He often rocked on his porch swing, pipe in hand, and, while gazing across the water, would remark, “That spot would be perfect for a lil’ cabin.” Today his vision lives on in this tranquil lakeside haven.
As Doc’s eldest grandchild, I—Robert—turned his porch‑swing daydream into reality. Together with our family, I raised a cabin he would be proud of and named it Retreat at the Gambrel in tribute to his vision. We’ve wrapped this tranquil hideaway in the same warmth that filled Doc’s home, so when you arrive, we hope you’ll feel less like a guest and more like part of the family.
