Paradise Inn, Washington

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Paradise Inn is a historic hotel built in 1916 at 5,400 ft (1,645 m) on the south slopes of Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, United States. The 40 year old Jackson Visitor Center and the 1920 Paradise Guide House are also at this location. The inn and guide house are where many climbers start their ascent of the mountain. The inn is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Contents

[edit] History

The inn was designed by Frederick Heath of Heath and Gove in 1915. It was initially planned to be built at Longmire. The National Park Service moved the planned location to Paradise when the original financier, John Reese backed away from the project. The inn was build by the Rainier National Park Company, founded by Steven T. Mather, assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. [1] [2]

Native building materials were used including cedar shingles, native rock and weathered timbers salvaged from a fire in 1885. After 30 years of ageing the timbers had developed an unusual silver sheen. The original plan called for a red roof but the Park Service vetoed this in favor of a green roof which blended in with the natural environment. This is in keeping with the National Park Service Rustic style of architecture. The inn opened on July 1, 1917 and cost between US$ 90,000 and US$ 100,000. [1] [3] [4]

In 1920 a four store Paradise Annex was added. It was designed by Harlan Thomas and contained 100 rooms, 85 with private baths. [1][2]

In 1931 a golf course was build at the lodge and in 1936 a ski rope tow was installed. [1]

In 1942 to 1943 the US Army used the inn to house troops training for winter mountain conditions. [1]

The extreme elements took its toll on the inn. In 1952 the Rainier National Park Company sold the inn to the National Park Service who contracted with concessionaires to operate the inn. The Park Service considered demolishing the inn but relented after a public outcry. US$ 1.75 million was spent in 1979 to strengthen and restore the building. [1]

[edit] Architecture

The original building is two stories tall. Two rooms, the great hall and the dining room take up most of the ground floor. A three story section on the building's east side makes the building a T-shape and contains additional guest rooms. [1][3]

The great hall is 50 by 112 foot (15 m by 34 m) and has a wrap-around mezzanine level. There is are 4 by 6 foot (1.2 m by 1.8 m) stone fireplace at both ends of the room. [1] The mezzanine level was added in 1925. [3]

The dining room is 51 by 105 feet (15.5 m by 32 m) and has a 50 foot high (15 m) stone fireplace. [1] The original guest rooms are above the dining room and are only 8 by 8 feet (2.4 m by 2.4 m). [2] Each one fits between a set of rafters which support the roof.

Hans Fraehnke, a German born carpenter created furniture from local materials for the inn including a two 1,500 pound tables (680 kg), a 14 foot (4 m) tall grandfather clock and a rustic piano which President Harry S. Truman played on during a visit to the inn in 1945. More tables and chairs are from the Old Hickory Company of Indiana. [1]

[edit] Two Year Closure

The inn closed in 2006 for two years to perform renovations and structural work to allow the inn withstand a large earthquake. This will be done as part of a US$ 30 million project which also includes building a new visitors center at Paradise. The inn is scheduled to reopen in 2008. [5] [6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barnes, Christine; Pfulghoft, Fred (Photographer); Morris, David (Photographer) (April 2002). Great Lodges of the National Parks: The Companion Book to the PBS Television Series. W W West, pp. 48 – 57. ISBN 0-9653924-5-7. 
  2. ^ a b c Scott, Kay W.; Scott, David L. (February 2002). The Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges, 3rd. Globe Pequot, pp. 195 – 197. ISBN 0-7627-1197-3. 
  3. ^ a b c Architecture in the Parks (Paradise Inn). National Park Service (February 2001). Retrieved on January 2, 2007.
  4. ^ Tweed, William C.; Soulliere, Laura E.; Law, Henry G. (February 1977). Rustic Architecture: 1916 - 1942. National Park Service. Retrieved on January 2, 2007.
  5. ^ Carlton Harrell, Debera. "Mount Rainier's Paradise Inn to undergo a two-year face-lift", The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 11, 2005. Retrieved on January 2, 2007.
  6. ^ Renée Casavant, Vanessa. "Paradise Inn to close for two years", The Seattle Times, September 8, 2005. Retrieved on January 2, 2007.

[edit] External links

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