Lake McDonald Lodge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lake McDonald Lodge Historic District | |
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| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | West Glacier, Montana |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1913 |
| Architect: | Cutter & Malmgram |
| Architectural style(s): | Other |
| Designated as NHL: | May 28, 1987[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | May 28, 1987[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 87001447 |
| MPS: | Glacier National Park MRA (AD) |
| Governing body: | NATIONAL PARK SERVICE |
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.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.[1][3]
 The large fireplace in the lobby |
 A look toward the guest rooms, with the chandelier in the foreground |
 Lanterns in the lobby |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Lake McDonald Lodge. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ "Architecture in the Parks: A National Historic Landmark Theme Study: Lake McDonald Lodge", by Laura Soullière Harrison. National Historic Landmark Theme Study. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- 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.
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