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Paradise Inn (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Paradise Inn is a historic hotel built in 1916 at 5,400 feet (1,645 m) on the south slope of Mount Rainier
in Mount Rainier National Park
in Washington, United States
. The inn is named after Paradise
, the area on the mountain it is located. The Henry M. 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
and is a major component of the Paradise Historic District
. Additionally, it is part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District
, which encompasses the entire park and which recognizes the park's inventory of Park Service-designed rustic architecture.
moved the planned location to Paradise when the original financier, John Reese, backed away from the project. The inn was built by the Rainier National Park Company, founded by Steven T. Mather, assistant to the Secretary of the Interior
.
Native building materials were used including cedar shingles, native rock and weathered timbers salvaged from a fire in 1885. After 30 years of aging 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$100,000.
The lodge is built with exposed cedar logs that provide its structural framework. It includes French doors in 14 bays to "allow summer breezes to enter" and dormer windows for natural lighting to enter on the second story, "augmented by hanging lamps".
In 1920 a four story Paradise Annex was added. It was designed by RNPC architect Harlan Thomas
and contained 100 rooms (85 with private baths).
In 1931 a golf course was built at the lodge and in 1936 a ski rope tow was installed.
In 1942 to 1943 the US Army used the inn to house troops training for winter mountain conditions.
The extreme elements took their toll on the inn. In 1952 the Rainier National Park Company sold the inn to the National Park Service who contracted with concessionaires to operate the inn. The Park Service considered demolishing the inn but relented after a public outcry. US$ 1.75 million was spent in 1979 to strengthen and restore the building.
The building was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1987.
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.
The great hall is 50 by 112 feet (15 m by 34 m) and has a wrap-around mezzanine level. There is are 4 by 6 feet (1.2 m by 1.8 m) stone fireplace at both ends of the room. The mezzanine level was added in 1925.
The dining room is 51 by 105 feet (15.5 m by 32 m) and has a 50 feet (15 m) high stone fireplace. The original guest rooms are above the dining room and are only 8 by 8 feet (2.4 m by 2.4 m). 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 two 1,500 pound (680 kg) tables, a 14 feet (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.
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a United States National Park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state. It was one of the US's earliest National Parks, having been established on March 2, 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States. The park contains...
in Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The inn is named after Paradise
Paradise, Washington
Paradise is the name of an area at approximately on the south slope of Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, United States. The area lies on the border of Pierce and Lewis counties and includes the Paradise Valley and the Paradise Glacier which is the source of the Paradise...
, the area on the mountain it is located. The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center
Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center
The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center is a day-use facility located in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. The facility offers exhibits, films, guided ranger programs, a book store, a snack bar, and a gift shop, as well as public restrooms, and informational brochures and maps.The first...
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
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and is a major component of the Paradise Historic District
Paradise Historic District
The Paradise Historic District comprises the historic portion of Paradise developed area of Mount Rainier National Park. The subalpine district surrounds its primary structure, the Paradise Inn, a rustic-style hotel built in 1917 to accommodate visitors to the park. The Paradise Inn is a National...
. Additionally, it is part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, which encompasses the entire park and which recognizes the park's inventory of Park Service-designed rustic architecture.
History
The inn was designed by Frederick Heath of Heath, Gove & Bell in 1915. It was initially planned to be built at Longmire. The National Park ServiceNational Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
moved the planned location to Paradise when the original financier, John Reese, backed away from the project. The inn was built by the Rainier National Park Company, founded by Steven T. Mather, assistant to the Secretary of the Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
.
Native building materials were used including cedar shingles, native rock and weathered timbers salvaged from a fire in 1885. After 30 years of aging 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
National Park Service Rustic
National Park Service rustic, also colloquially known as Parkitecture, is a style of architecture that arose in the United States National Park System to create buildings that harmonized with their natural environment. Since its founding, the National Park Service consistently has sought to provide...
style of architecture. The inn opened on July 1, 1917 and cost between US$90,000 and US$100,000.
The lodge is built with exposed cedar logs that provide its structural framework. It includes French doors in 14 bays to "allow summer breezes to enter" and dormer windows for natural lighting to enter on the second story, "augmented by hanging lamps".
In 1920 a four story Paradise Annex was added. It was designed by RNPC architect Harlan Thomas
Harlan Thomas
Harlan Thomas was a prominent Seattle architect in the first half of the twentieth century. From 1926 to the early 1940s he served as Chair of the University of Washington Department of Architecture. He was also a noted watercolorist.-Biography:Harlan Thomas was born in 1870 in Des Moines, Iowa....
and contained 100 rooms (85 with private baths).
In 1931 a golf course was built at the lodge and in 1936 a ski rope tow was installed.
In 1942 to 1943 the US Army used the inn to house troops training for winter mountain conditions.
The extreme elements took their toll on the inn. In 1952 the Rainier National Park Company sold the inn to the National Park Service who contracted with concessionaires to operate the inn. The Park Service considered demolishing the inn but relented after a public outcry. US$ 1.75 million was spent in 1979 to strengthen and restore the building.
The building was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1987.
Architecture
The great hall is 50 by 112 feet (15 m by 34 m) and has a wrap-around mezzanine level. There is are 4 by 6 feet (1.2 m by 1.8 m) stone fireplace at both ends of the room. The mezzanine level was added in 1925.
The dining room is 51 by 105 feet (15.5 m by 32 m) and has a 50 feet (15 m) high stone fireplace. The original guest rooms are above the dining room and are only 8 by 8 feet (2.4 m by 2.4 m). 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 two 1,500 pound (680 kg) tables, a 14 feet (4 m) tall grandfather clock
Longcase clock
A longcase clock, also tall-case clock, floor clock, or grandfather clock, is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower, or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are commonly 1.8–2.4 metres tall...
and a rustic piano which President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
played on during a visit to the inn in 1945. More tables and chairs are from the Old Hickory Company of Indiana.
Two Year Closure
The inn was closed in 2006 for two years to perform renovations and structural work to allow the inn to withstand a large earthquake. This was done as part of a $30 million USD project which also included the groundbreaking for a new visitor center at Paradise. The inn was scheduled to reopened in May 2008.External links
- Architecture in the Parks: A National Historic Landmark Theme Study: Paradise Inn, by Laura Soullière Harrison, 1986, at National Park Service.
- Mount Rainier National Park - Paradise (U.S. National Park Service) - Paradise area of the National Park from the National Park Service.
- Historic timeline, narrative and photos of Paradise Inn - at National Park Lodge Architecture Society website.
- Paradise Construction Projects | Mount Rainier National Park - Construction at the inn and the Jackson Visitor Center.
- Welcome to Mt. Rainier National Park - website of Guest Services, Inc., the concessionaire who runs the inn.