Headquarters Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Headquarters Historic District
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Location | E of Glacier Rt. 1 at crossing of Middle Fork of the Flathead R., Glacier NP, West Glacier, Montana |
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| Architect | National Park Service; NPS Landscape Division |
| MPS | Glacier National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001569 |
| Added to NRHP | January 19, 1996 |
The Headquarters Historic District is a special area in Glacier National Park. It's located near West Glacier, Montana, on the park's west side. This district has many important buildings. These buildings include offices and homes for park staff. They show different building styles, from old-fashioned "rustic" designs to more modern ones built after World War II.
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Exploring the Headquarters District
This historic district is home to many buildings used for running the park. You can find offices and houses here. The buildings were built at different times. Some look like old log cabins, while others are more modern. This mix of styles tells a story about the park's history.
Rustic Style Buildings
Many older buildings here are in the National Park Service Rustic style. This style makes buildings blend in with nature. They often use local materials like wood and stone. This makes them look like they grew right out of the landscape.
Important buildings in this style include the Superintendent's Residence. It was built in 1923. The first Administration Building, also from 1923, is another example. Many homes for park rangers also use this rustic design.
Buildings for Park Workers
The district also had shared buildings for park staff. There was a large mess hall where everyone ate together. Bunkhouses provided places for workers to sleep. Other buildings were used for utilities and storage. These buildings helped the park run smoothly.
Building with Help: WPA and CCC
Many of the buildings in the district were built by special groups. These groups were the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). They were government programs created during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people needed jobs.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
The CCC was a program for young men. They worked on conservation projects across the country. In Glacier National Park, CCC workers helped build many structures. They also improved trails and planted trees. Their hard work helped shape the park we see today.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA)
The WPA also provided jobs for many people. They built roads, bridges, and buildings. In the park, WPA workers helped construct important facilities. These programs were vital for developing national parks. They also gave jobs to people during a tough time.
Modern Additions: Mission 66
After World War II, the park needed more modern facilities. This led to a program called Mission 66. This program aimed to improve national parks by 1966. It added new visitor centers and housing.
Most of the new buildings from Mission 66 were homes. They provided better living spaces for park staff. These newer structures show a different architectural style. They are more modern than the rustic buildings.
The Headquarters Historic District shows how Glacier National Park grew over time. It tells the story of different building styles and important government programs.
