Many Glacier Hotel
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| Many Glacier Hotel Historic District | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Nearest city: | Babb, Montana |
| Built/Founded: | 1914 |
| Architect: | McMahon,Thomas D.; Et al. |
| Architectural style(s): | Other |
| Added to NRHP: | September 29, 1976 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 76000173 [1] |
| MPS: | Glacier National Park MRA (AD) |
| Governing body: | National Park Service |
Many Glacier Hotel is a historic hotel located within Glacier National Park, on the east shore of Swiftcurrent Lake. The building is designed as a series of chalets, up to four stories tall, and stretches for a substantial distance along the lakeshore. The building has a Swiss alpine theme both on the outside and on the inside. The foundation is made of stone, with a wood superstructure. The outside is finished with brown-painted wood siding, and the window framing and balconies have wood sawn in Swiss jigsawn patterns. On the inside, the four-story lobby is surrounded by balconies, whose railings are patterned after Swiss designs.
Many Glacier Hotel was built in the period between 1910 and 1915, when the Great Northern Railway was establishing a series of hotels and backcountry chalets in the park. This was part of an effort by Louis Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway and son of James J. Hill, to establish Glacier National Park as a destination resort and to promote the area as the "American Alps". To this end, Hill chose a Swiss chalet style for the hotels and chalets. The Glacier Park Lodge (previously known as the Glacier Park Hotel) and the Many Glacier Hotel were intended to be the core structures, while the chalets and campgrounds were sited in the backcountry within an easy day's ride or hike from one of the hotels or another chalet. The chalets were intended to entice visitors to leave the hotels and see the backcountry in a more rustic manner.
[edit] Current status
Today, the hotel still maintains its historic character, in part by not placing televisions in guest rooms. Most rooms either have views of Swiftcurrent Lake or the surrounding mountain scenery. Facilities include the Ptarmigan Dining room, the Swiss Room Lounge and Interlaken Lounge, Heidi's Snack Shop, and a gift shop. The hotel is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
[edit] References
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2006-03-15).
- Many Glacier Hotel. Glacier Park Inc. (2006). Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
- Harrison, Laura Soullière (1986). Great Northern Railway Buildings. National Park Service: Architecture in the Parks. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
