Paradise Inn (Washington) facts for kids
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Paradise Inn
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The Paradise Inn's great room interior
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Grove & Bell Heath, Rainier National Park Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001336 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 28, 1987 |
| Designated NHL | May 28, 1987 |
The Paradise Inn is a famous old hotel built in 1916. It sits high up on the south side of Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, United States. The inn is named after the beautiful area called Paradise where it is located.
Near the inn, you can also find the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and the old 1920 Paradise Guide House. Many mountain climbers start their journey up Mount Rainier from this spot. The Paradise Inn is a very important building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District. This means the park's special old buildings are recognized for their unique style.
Contents
Building the Paradise Inn
The idea for the inn came from an architect named Frederick Heath in 1915. It was first planned for a different spot called Longmire. But the National Park Service decided to move it to Paradise instead.
The Rainier National Park Company built the inn. This company was started by Steven T. Mather, who worked for the Secretary of the Interior.
Materials and Design
Builders used materials found right there in nature. They used cedar wood shingles, local rocks, and old timbers. These timbers were salvaged from a fire in 1885. After 30 years, the wood had turned a beautiful silver color.
The original plan was to have a red roof. But the Park Service wanted a green roof instead. This helped the inn blend in with the natural environment. This style is called National Park Service Rustic architecture. It means buildings look like they belong in nature.
The inn opened on July 1, 1917. It cost about $90,000 to $100,000 to build.
Inside the Inn
The lodge is built with strong cedar logs that you can see. These logs form the main structure. It has many French doors that open up to let in cool summer breezes. There are also dormer windows on the second floor for natural light. Hanging lamps help light up the rooms too.
In 1920, a four-story building called the Paradise Annex was added. It was designed by Harlan Thomas. This annex had 100 rooms, and 85 of them had their own bathrooms.
Later Years
In 1931, a golf course was built at the lodge. A ski rope tow was added in 1936.
During 1942 and 1943, the United States Army used the inn. Soldiers trained there for winter mountain conditions.
Over time, the harsh weather took a toll on the inn. In 1952, the Rainier National Park Company sold the inn to the National Park Service. The Park Service thought about tearing the inn down. But people protested, and the inn was saved! In 1979, $1.75 million was spent to make the building stronger and fix it up.
The Paradise Inn was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. This means it is a very important historical place.
Inn's Architecture
The main building of the inn has two stories. Most of the ground floor is taken up by two large rooms: the great hall and the dining room. A three-story section on the east side makes the building look like a "T" shape. This section holds more guest rooms.
Main Rooms
The great hall is very large, about 50 feet by 112 feet. It has a mezzanine level that wraps around the room. There are big stone fireplaces at both ends of the room. The mezzanine level was added in 1925.
The dining room is also big, about 51 feet by 105 feet. It has a tall stone fireplace that is 50 feet high. The first guest rooms were above the dining room. They were quite small, only 8 feet by 8 feet. Each room fit between the large wooden beams that hold up the roof.
Unique Furniture
A carpenter named Hans Fraehnke made special furniture for the inn. He used local materials. He created two huge tables, each weighing 1,500 pounds! He also made a 14-foot tall grandfather clock and a rustic piano. President Harry S. Truman even played this piano during his visit in 1945. Other tables and chairs came from the Old Hickory Company.
Two-Year Renovation
The inn closed in 2006 for two years. Workers did major renovations and structural work. This was to make the inn strong enough to survive a large earthquake. This project cost about $30 million. It also included starting work on a new visitor center at Paradise. The Paradise Inn reopened its doors in May 2008.
Gallery
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Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier
