Many Glacier Hotel

Many Glacier Hotel is a historic hotel located within Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, 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.

Construction began at Many Glacier Hotel in 1914 and was finished in just 1 year on July 4, 1915. The Great Northern Railway was establishing a series of hotels and backcountry chalets in the park and the Many Glacier Hotel was the "Gem of the West". 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. These chalets were especially used during the early 1900s when the Hotel first opened, and the main attraction in the park was horseback riding. In the early days of Many Glacier Hotel only the rich and famous could afford to stay in this beautiful structure and the rustic chalets throughout the area.

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 Grizzly Track Traders Gift Shop. The hotel is a contributing property in the National Historic Landmark, Great Northern Railway Buildings district. Many Glacier Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The main attractions in the area include hiking, boat rides or rentals, or simply enjoying the western environment that Many Glacier provides.

See also

• Lake McDonald Lodge at West Glacier, Montana within Glacier National Park
• Prince of Wales Hotel within Waterton Lakes National Park

Notes

References

• "Many Glacier Hotel Historic Structure Report" (PDF). National Park Service. July 2002. Retrieved 2012-12-03. 
• "Many Glacier Hotel". Glacier Park Inc. 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-29. 
• Harrison, Laura Soullière (1986). "Great Northern Railway Buildings". National Park Service: Architecture in the Parks. National Park Service. Retrieved 2006-04-21.