Lake McDonald Lodge
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Lake McDonald Lodge is a historic lodge located within Glacier National Park, on the northeast shore of Lake McDonald. The lodge is a three and a half story structure built in a Swiss chalet style. The foundation and first floor walls are built of stone, with a wood frame superstructure. The lobby is a large, open space that extends to the third story. It has a massive fireplace and a concrete floor scored in a flagstone pattern, with messages in several Indian languages inscribed into it.
The lodge was built in 1913 by John Lewis, a land speculator from Columbia Falls, Montana. He bought the land and had the hotel built during a period when the Great Northern Railway was building other hotels and backcountry chalets, including Many Glacier Hotel, Granite Park Chalet, Sperry Chalet, and Two Medicine Store. This movement was part of a trend by railroads during that time to build destination resorts in areas of exceptional scenic value. Railroads wanted to attract tourists and create resorts that were equal to the scenery, and private operators like John Lewis had to build equally impressive facilities in order to keep up.
In 1930, the Great Northern Railway acquired the hotel through its subsidiary, the Glacier Park Hotel Company. Today, the lodge maintains its historic character. The hotel also includes a number of small cottages located nearby, as well as a motor inn. The main lodge is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
 The large fireplace in the lobby |
 A look toward the guest rooms, with the chandelier in the foreground |
 Lanterns in the lobby |
[edit] References
- Lake McDonald Lodge. Glacier Park Inc. (2006). Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
- Harrison, Laura Soullière (1986). Lake McDonald Lodge. National Park Service: Architecture in the Parks. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
