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June 14-September 13, 2010 - Every Monday PIG ROAST
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Yellowstone Lake Hotelwritten by Jan Stoddard The front of Yellowstone Lake Hotel. View of the hotel from Gulf Point Drive. RATE THIS ARTICLE
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you can trace its’ history by the building itself.
Walking down to the lake and gazing back, you can trace the outline of the original box structure, stripping away the latter west and east wings. The large, white iconic columns loom high above entrances that once greeted stagecoach and steamship passengers.
An historic yellow bus, used by tourists in the 1930’s, graces the portico entrance. During dusk, the solarium and dining room are filled by silhouetted dinners outlined in the warm light spilling from the windows. It is easy to see the grandeur and history of this place.
The construction and development of the Lake Hotel ties directly to the history of tourism and concessionaires (the single vendor awarded with the contract for lodging and food within the park).
The site for the original hotel, on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, was a meeting place for Indians, trappers, and mountain men. Artifacts from the Fishing Bridge area date back to 10,000 years before present day. Several Indian tribes (Kiowa, Shoshone and Apache) fished and hunted along the lake. One of the largest archeological sites in the Park is located at Fishing Bridge, on the peninsula between Yellowstone River outlet and Pelican Creek. Accounts from the 1880’s detail a Shoshone Sheepeater settlement including wickiups, corrals and sweathouses.
As the number of visitors to the park increased so did the need for more and better roads. To build a hotel near a major tourist destination (Yellowstone Lake) was one of the major marketing decisions by a concessionaire in Yellowstone. Construction for the Lake Hotel began in 1889 and was financed by the current concessionaire YPA, Yellowstone Park Association. By 1891, a plain, box-like structure was completed housing 80 rooms.
This same year, the road over Craig Pass was completed and the “Lower Loop” road was born. Visitors could now plan an entire loop trip and reach Yellowstone Lake. (Previously, the only route to the Lake was taking the Mary Mountain Road from Fountain Flats and then backtracking over to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.)
During the 1903-1904 alteration, large ionic columns and a widow’s walk were added to the front of the hotel. An additional wing of 130 rooms was added to the left and the entire exterior was painted the distinctive soft yellow it is today.
These alterations and addition were timed to coincide with the construction of the first Fishing Bridge and the completion of the East Entrance Road. Now, tourists could travel into Yellowstone from Cody, Wyoming and a new east entrance. The main road through the Park passed in front of the hotel until 1972.
During the 1920’s, more alterations and renovations changed the face of the Lake Hotel. A portico was added to the front entrance, along with the 113-room East Wing. The dining room was expanded and separate employee housing was constructed. Later, the lounge and solarium were added and lobby remodeled. Cabins (110 of them) were added as an alternative lodging choice. Finally, the old North wing was removed and replaced by more cabins in the 1940’s.
Both World War I and II had disastrous impact on Yellowstone. Lack of visitors and escalating costs severely impacted YPA. Lake Hotel upgrades and maintenance were abandoned in favor of other projects, such as the ill-fated Canyon Hotel. The hotel was also closed for several years during both World Wars and later fell into serious disrepair over the decades.
In 1981, Yellowstone’s new concessionaire, TW Recreational Services teamed with the National Park Service on a ten year project to restore the hotel. The mission was to return Lake Hotel to its glory days of the 1920s. The work was finished for the celebration of the hotel's centennial in 1991 and also placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the Lake Hotel offers a variety within its 158 rooms enjoyed by over 75,000 visitors each year. Within the hotel, you can choose from the Presidential Suite (two bedrooms, two bath and large sitting room) or Premium rooms with a front (lake) or backside view. These rooms have brass beds and solid pine furniture. (We prefer the full bathroom option.)
If you are not going to spend a lot of time sleeping or for a simpler, more rustic choice, try the Frontier cabins. These were the original cabins (duplex format) building in the 1920’s, but recently remodeled. These pine-paneled cabins are smaller, but basic, comfortable and clean. One other option is the Annex, a separate two-story building next to the hotel with private bath rooms. Always ask for the front lake view and remember, no smoking, televisions, radios, air conditioning or Internet access.
Our favorite room is the Sun Room (Solarium) which juts out from the front of the hotel. Its large windows bring in the sun as well as panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake. The lobby bar offers a choice from tea to martini’s along with music accompaniment, from pianists to string quartets. In the fall, we also like to warm up in front of the large warm tile-mantel fireplace in the lobby.
The Lake Hotel is also known for its large, elegant dining room. Reservations are required but you can sometimes sneak in during the off-seasons. The casual elegance of the restaurant ensured every type of visitor feels comfortable.
Our favorite times to visit are the shoulder seasons when the crowds are fewer, the snow-clad mountains across the lake more spectacular, and wildlife easier to spot. Reservations are only available from the current Yellowstone concessionaire Xanterra at www.travelyellowstone.com And, one last suggestion – take time to watch the sun go down from the deck in front of the hotel overlooking Yellowstone Lake. It is one of those spectacular moments of serenity you can only find in Yellowstone.
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