Mount Rainier's Historic Inns and Lodges

by Jeff Anderson, Sonja Anderson

Presiding over the Puget Sound region, Mount Rainier has lured adventurers and entrepreneurs to its slopes since the earliest settlers. Visitors rode packhorses or hiked miles to tent "hotels" at Theosophy Ridge, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, and Ohanapecosh. James Longmire opened Longmire Springs Hotel near bubbling mineral springs. In 1899, Mount Rainier became a national park, and eventually, a motley array of services was consolidated by the Rainier National Park Company, which built National Park Inn and Paradise Inn. Roads, services, and activities expanded, and guests poured in. Winter activities, such as skiing and tobogganing, increased the park's popularity. The 1936 Winter Olympic Ski Trials and training for World War II ski troops were even hosted there. Visitors today might be surprised to know that many inns, rental cabins, bathhouses, and other buildings have come and gone, leaving some areas more pristine now than for much of the park's history.

128 pages, Hardcover

Published May 22, 2017

About the author

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Reviews

[Maria Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book, written by a husband and wife team, on the history of Mount Rainier's Inns and Lodges. Perfect for history buffs, naturalists, hikers, and Father's Day. This creation was more than merely an endeavor started from a curiosity about images around the lodge. It was a labor of love for a family who has enjoyed Mount Rainier for generations. This is such an fun book, especially for anyone interested in history in general and Mount Rainier history in particular. A short-lived golf course, a tobaggan run, a winter school, the 10th Mountain Infantrry Division, and early female adventurers are only a taste of some of the interesting things that occurred throughout Mount Rainier's history. Besides the amazing pictures, which provide a glimpse into life in the early 20th century, Sonja and Jeff trace the convoluted path that the various Lodges/Inns took to end up where they exist now. A verry entertaining and well-written book on a beloved mountain.

[Dennis Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about much more than just the inns and lodges of Mount Rainier. It's also a great story about the mountain in the modern era. Great historical pictures pulled together with a very interesting narrative.
My wife and I finished a ten day backpacking trip around Mount Rainier last month and took a one day break in the Paradise Inn. I just wished we had read this book prior to that trip. Would have made our experience even more enjoyable.
Read this book, and you'll appreciate the amazing mountain that graces the Puget Sound even more.