Silcox Hut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Silcox Hut
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A low winter snow pack reveals the sleeping area window. The entrance is through the wooden tunnel at center.
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| Location | Mount Hood, Oregon, U.S. |
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| Built | 1939 |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000144 |
| Added to NRHP | 1985 |
The Silcox Hut is a small, cozy building high up on Mount Hood in Oregon, United States. It sits at about 6,950 feet (2,118 meters) above sea level. This makes it a mid-mountain lodge, located about 1,000 feet (305 meters) higher than the famous Timberline Lodge.
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What is Silcox Hut?
Silcox Hut is a historic building known for its rustic charm and amazing views. It's a special place for groups to stay overnight or hold events. Imagine waking up high on a mountain!
Building a Mountain Hut
The Silcox Hut was built by a group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This was a government program in the 1930s that helped people find jobs during tough economic times. The hut was finished in 1939.
It was named after Ferdinand Silcox. He was an important person who led the United States Forest Service from 1933 to 1939.
Originally, the hut had a few important jobs. It was the top station for the first Magic Mile chairlift, which carried skiers up the mountain. The hut even held the big wheel that pulled the chairlift cables! It was also a warm place for climbers to rest before heading further up the mountain.
From Abandoned to Amazing
After the Magic Mile chairlift was moved in 1962, the Silcox Hut was left empty. Because of harsh mountain weather and people breaking in, it started to fall apart. It became a very sad sight.
In 1966, some students from the Portland State University Outdoor Program tried to help. They leased the hut and made some small repairs. However, they couldn't stop the damage, and they had to give up the lease. There was even talk of burning the hut down because it was in such bad shape!
Luckily, that didn't happen. In 1985, the Silcox Hut was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building that should be protected.
Bringing the Hut Back to Life
In that same year, a group called the Friends of Silcox Hut was formed. This was a non-profit organization, meaning they worked to help the hut without making money for themselves. Their goal was to fix up the hut and open it again.
Over several years, the Friends of Silcox Hut worked hard to restore the building. They finally reopened it to the public in 1993. Even though they first thought it would be a hostel for climbers, it's now rented out for groups. Up to 24 people can stay overnight and enjoy hearty meals. It's also a popular spot for special events like weddings.
The Friends of Silcox Hut received awards for their amazing restoration work. They continue to be a non-profit group that helps maintain the hut and protect its history. They even engineered a special snow tunnel for one of the entrances to help it stand up to heavy snow!
