Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District
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Olympic National Park Headquarters
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington |
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| Area | 38 acres (15 ha) |
| Built | 1940 |
| Architect | National Park Service |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| MPS | Olympic National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000720 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 2007 |
The Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District is a special area in Port Angeles, Washington. It's where the main offices for Olympic National Park are located. This district has six important buildings and eight other structures that were built between 1940 and 1944. These buildings were designed in a unique style called "National Park Service Rustic." This style uses natural materials found nearby, like wood and stone, to help the buildings blend in with nature. Many people from special government programs, like the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), helped build these headquarters.
Contents
Main Buildings at the Headquarters
The most important building here is the Administration Building (48°06′03″N 123°25′58″W / 48.10096°N 123.43279°W). It's a two-story building made of stone and wood. It has a long, flat design that makes it look like it stretches out. The second floor is covered in shingles, which are like flat pieces of wood, arranged in a way that creates horizontal lines.
The Superintendent's Residence
Another important building is the Custodian's Residence, also known as the Superintendent's Residence (48°06′03″N 123°25′53″W / 48.10093°N 123.43148°W). The park superintendent, who is like the park's main boss, used to live here until the 1980s. After that, it was changed into offices. This building has an interesting, uneven shape and uses similar natural materials and style as the main headquarters building.
Other Important Structures
A little bit away from the main offices, you'll find several buildings used for maintenance. These buildings help keep the park running smoothly.
Gas and Oil House
The Gas and Oil House building (48°05′59″N 123°25′53″W / 48.09972°N 123.43139°W) is made with rough stone and heavy wooden beams. It even has a special covered entrance called a porte-cochere that goes over the gas pumps.
Transformer Vault and Pump House
Close by is the Transformer Vault and Pump House (48°05′59″N 123°25′59″W / 48.09982°N 123.43306°W). It looks similar to the Gas and Oil House, with its sturdy design.
Equipment Shed and Carpenter Shop
The Equipment Shed/Carpenter Shop (48°05′58″N 123°25′55″W / 48.09946°N 123.43182°W) is built with stone and wood. It has a unique "saltbox" shape, which means one side of the roof is longer than the other. It also has eaves, which are parts of the roof that stick out, supported by brackets. These features were a hint of a future building style called Mission 66, which became popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
Equipment and Supply Building
The Equipment and Supply Building (48°05′57″N 123°25′54″W / 48.0992°N 123.43168°W) is quite large, measuring about 199 feet (61 m) long and 32 feet (9.8 m) wide. It's made of stone and wood. A big wooden part of this building burned down in 1965. But don't worry, it was rebuilt in 1970 to look exactly like the original.
A Unique Location
The Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District is very close to the park itself, but it's actually just outside the park's main borders. This is a special fact because it was the very first national park headquarters ever built outside the park it managed! The district was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, recognizing its historical importance.
