Red Star Lodge and Sawmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Red Star Lodge and Sawmill
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | Park County, Wyoming, USA |
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| Nearest city | Cody, Wyoming |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Henry Dahlem |
| MPS | Dude Ranches along the Yellowstone Highway in the Shoshone National Forest |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001106 |
| Added to NRHP | October 30, 2003 |
The Red Star Lodge and Sawmill is a special place also known as the Shoshone Lodge. It is a type of vacation spot called a dude ranch. You can find it in the beautiful Shoshone National Forest. This forest is very close to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
The buildings at the ranch were put together between 1924 and 1950. They include a main lodge made of logs, built in a rustic style. Many cabins and other buildings surround the lodge. Today, the Shoshone Lodge is a great example of how these old dude ranches used to work.
A Look Back: History of the Lodge
The Red Star Lodge sits on a piece of land about 6.2 acres big. This land is leased from the U.S. Forest Service. The lodge is located near US Highway 14-16-20. It's only about 6 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
A man named Henry Dahlem built the lodge. He was the first sheriff of Park County, Wyoming. He started building in 1924, adding parts over time. The second part of the lodge was finished in 1930. More sections were added in 1935 and 1944.
The lodge and other buildings were made from special D-shaped logs. These logs were cut right there at the Star Sawmill on the property.
Passing It On: Family Management
Henry's son, Harry, took over running the ranch in 1949. At this time, the Forest Service started calling it "Shoshone Lodge." Harry passed away in 1954. His wife, Betty, then managed the lodge with help from their children, Keith and Deborah.
Today, Keith Dahlem runs the nearby Sleeping Giant Ski Resort in the winter. The Shoshone Lodge itself is open for guests during the summer months.
What Does the Lodge Look Like?
The main lodge building has an interesting, uneven shape. It is a two-story building made of logs. It sits on a strong stone foundation.
The eastern part of the building uses logs that were peeled by hand. The western part uses the D-shaped logs that were cut at the ranch's own sawmill. The roof of the lodge looks very complex. This is because many different parts were added to the building over the years.
Around the main lodge, you'll find many other buildings. These include cabins for guests to stay in. There are also dormitories for employees and other service buildings needed to run the ranch.
- Photographs of the Shoshone Lodge at the National Park Service's NRHP database
