Mount Rainier's Historic Inns and Lodges
Presiding over the Puget Sound region, Mount Rainier has lured adventurers and entrepreneurs to its slopes since the earliest settlers. Visitors rode packhorses or hiked miles to tent "hotels" at Theosophy Ridge, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, and Ohanapecosh. James Longmire opened Longmire Springs Hotel near bubbling mineral springs.
In 1899, Mount Rainier became a national park, and eventually, a motley array of services was consolidated by the Rainier National Park Company, which built National Park Inn and Paradise Inn. Roads, services, and activities expanded, and guests poured in. Winter activities, such as skiing and tobogganing, increased the park's popularity. The 1936 Winter Olympic Ski Trials and training for World War II ski troops were even hosted there.
Visitors today might be surprised to know that many inns, rental cabins, bathhouses, and other buildings have come and gone, leaving some areas more pristine now than for much of the park's history. This book, part of the Images of America series, tells the story of change and continuity that has turned Mount Rainier National Park into a familiar and favorite destination for many in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
About Sonja Anderson (Akron, Ohio Author)
Like many authors, I grew up reading--a lot. I always thought it would be fun to read every book in the school library, except for one problem: when I found a book I liked, I read that one book over and over again. My dad would walk by and ask how many times I had read that one, and wasn't once enough? Once is never enough when you really, really like a book, right?
My favorites were Heidi, Mandy, The Village that Slept, The Littles, and all the Nancy Drew books. I still enjoy reading them, and I've added new favorites, like the Harry Potter series. My husband will sometimes walk by and ask how many times I've read that one, and isn't once enough? As you and I know, though, once is never enough, when you really, really like it!
It's hard for me to believe sometimes that my dream of writing a book--and even several books--has finally come true. It's even more amazing for me to see kids checking my books out in the library for the second or even third time! After all, once is never enough when you really like it! Thank you, readers! You've made my dreams come true. I hope that my books will inspire you to making your own dreams come true someday!
About Jeff Anderson (Co-Author)
