Built by historian, ethnologist & river works supervisor Thomas William (TK) Downes (1868-1938). It originally had 10 bunks, with a lean-to. Downes association with the river began in the early 1900s. In 1921 the Wanganui River Trust appointed him supervisor of river works & ranger for the domain lands within its jurisdiction. Upon his passing the land & hut were gifted to the Whanganui River Trust & maintained by Lands & Survey & then DOC. In 2016, a new water tank was replaced, & the chimney & fireplace improved. The interior & exterior were painted in early 2018 by Bob Anderson. Edit Hut