Zion Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Zion Lodge--Birch Creek Historic District (Boundary Increase)
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Zion Lodge in 1929
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Springdale, Utah |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Architect | Underwood, Gilbert Stanley |
| Architectural style | NPS Rustic style |
| MPS | Zion National Park MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003753 |
| Added to NRHP | July 07, 1987 |
Zion Lodge is a famous place to stay inside Zion National Park in Utah, United States. It was built in 1924. The lodge was designed to be a good fit for the park's natural beauty.
The Union Pacific Railroad owned a company called the Utah Parks Company. This company wanted to build a big hotel. But the director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather, wanted smaller buildings. So, they agreed on a design that was not too big. The goal was to encourage people to visit the national parks by train.
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Who Designed Zion Lodge?
Gilbert Stanley Underwood was the architect who designed Zion Lodge. He also designed other lodges for the Utah Parks Company. These included lodges at the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Underwood's design for Zion Lodge was simpler than his other park buildings. He used milled wood instead of whole logs. He also used less stone. This style helped the lodge blend in with the valley floor. Many of his other buildings in the valley are part of the Zion Lodge Historic District.
What Happened to the Original Lodge?
A fire destroyed the first Zion Lodge in 1966. It was rebuilt very quickly, in just 100 days. This was so visitors could use it again soon. However, the new building did not look as rustic as the original.
In 1990, the lodge was remodeled. This renovation brought back its original rustic look. Today, it looks much like it did when it was first built.
What Other Buildings Are There?
Besides the main lodge building, there are other original buildings. These include cabins where guests can stay. Some were built in 1927, and others in 1929. There are also dormitories for employees. These were built in 1927 and 1937. A few other support buildings are also part of the complex. Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed all of these buildings too.
What About the 1995 Landslide?
On April 12, 1995, a landslide happened near the lodge. It blocked the Virgin River downstream. Over two hours, the river washed away 590 feet (180 meters) of the only road out of the canyon. This trapped about 450 guests and employees at the lodge.
Workers quickly built a temporary one-lane road. This allowed everyone to leave within 24 hours. The main road to the lodge was fully repaired and open again by May 25, 1995.
Is Zion Lodge a Historic Place?
Yes, Zion Lodge is a very important historic place. It is a member of Historic Hotels of America. This is a special program run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It recognizes hotels that have a lot of history.
See also
In Spanish: Zion Lodge para niños
