Voice of the Glacier Park Foundation ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ Volume XXIX, No. 2 100100 Years Years at Lake at McDonald Lodge

Lake McDonald Lodge staff prepare to dunk a colleague during the Lake McD summer of 1941. Months later, many of them would be headed off to battle in World War II.

(photo by Bonham Cross, courtesy of the Glacier National Park archives.)

In this issue: • Through the Years at Lake McDonald Lodge • Great Characters of the Early Years at McD • Tales from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘70s. • Making Music in Glacier • Piegans in Portland • A Summer with Ian Tippet • “Glacier Cup” Soccer • Inside News of Glacier Park A Centennial Salute to Lake McD By John Hagen (Many Glacier 1970- McDonald Lodge. It has an air of to your left, Snyder Creek tumbles 80) peaceful tranquility. Stately cedars down beside the lodge into the lake. overshadow it, and hanging baskets No sight in Glacier Park is more Many of us enjoyed these agree- of flowers charmingly accent its peaceful than the forest that borders able sights on June 14, 2014, which chocolate brown walls. Where the the road on the east side of Lake marked the centennial of the lodge. larger lodges on Glacier’s east side McDonald. The trees are lofty and Some 200 people filled the audi- have an atmosphere of drama, this lush and luxuriant, woven densely as torium building across the creek lodge has an atmosphere of peace. hedge. They have an air of romance for the centennial celebration. The and mystery that puts one in mind That sense of peace becomes stron- auditorium’s roughhewn décor (com- of legendary forests like Sherwood or ger still as you enter the lobby of prised entirely of old cedar bark) was Fangorn. the lodge. It’s agreeably dusky. The appropriate for the event. front desk and information desk are The forest is at its most romantic on A driving rain was falling outside on a small scale, and the fireplace a misty and cloudy day. Fog rolls as the celebration got underway. around which everything focuses dramatically for hundreds of feet Guests and speakers were peeling gives the lobby a homey air. up the slopes above the road. The off streaming raingear. Emcee Marc mountains tower up into the clouds, You step out the western doorway, Ducharme, the general manager suggesting Himalayan heights. The and there again you find a profound of the concession, praised the old green shades of the forest are espe- sense of peace. Vivid flowers sur- building’s watertight character. cially vivid and striking against the round the veranda, and long stone Jeff Mow, the recently appointed grey sky. stairs descend to Lake McDonald, superintendent of Glacier Park, as tranquil as the Sea of Galilee. You turn into a corridor in the for- provided opening remarks. He de- The launch DeSmet is picturesquely est, and under the eaves of the trees scribed stopping in for a haircut that moored in the blue-green water. Just you catch the first glimpse of Lake morning and finding that everyone in the barbershop had a story of Glacier Park Foundation Officers: Glacier Park. He remarked that “the P.O. Box 15641 John Hagen, President National Parks are about the experi- Minneapolis, MN 55415 Carol Dahle, Vice President www.glacierparkfoundation.org Mac Willemssen, Secretary [email protected] Tessie Bundick, Historian Jim Lees, Treasurer Board of Directors: The Inside Trail takes its name Laura Chihara, Webmaster Tessie Bundick Rolf Larson, Inside Trail Editor from the famous old trail Laura Chihara which connected Glacier Janet Eisner Cornish Park Lodge with the vanished Carol Repulski Dahle The Glacier Park Foundation was Joyce Daugaard formed by Glacier Park employees chalets at Two Medicine, Ray Djuff and visitors who have a deep love for Cut Bank, and St. Mary. The this special place. The Foundation is John Hagen commited both to the importance name thus emphasizes the Einar Hansen of wilderness preservation and to publication’s focus on the Paul Hoff the importance of places like Glacier Mark Hufstetler as classrooms where people can lore and history of Glacier Ron Kolb experience wilderness in intense National Park. We invite meaningful ways, learning not only a Jeff Kuhn submission of historical, love for the land, but also a respect Linda Young Kuhn that nurtures the skills necessary to scientific, or anecdotal ar- Rolf Larson preserve that land. The Foundation ticles, commentary, poetry, Greg Notess has a special interest in Glacier Park’s John Sauer history, traditions and visitor facilities. or artwork for publication in Rick Taylor future issues. Mac Willemssen

2 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail into the lake, after which they jump ences people have,” thanked those Another personal reflection then into the water fully clothed – and who have cared for Glacier’s facili- was given by Rob Lucke. He has a other employees jump in, and some ties, and stressed the importance of lifelong connection with Lake Mc- guests do! The log is retrieved and private groups working in partner- Donald Lodge and was a gearjammer used as the first log in the fireplace ship with the Park Service as federal in the Park for many years. He shared the following year. budgets decline. colorful memories of childhood (“Charlie Russell was always a hero Lucke then concluded by reciting a Mark Priess, executive director of for Montana kids like me; we’d choose pledge composed for the event. He the Glacier Conservancy (Glacier’s to play him when we were children;” declared that Lake McDonald has chief philanthropic private partner) “I used to wander the lobby here, and “the best food, the best lodging, the made further remarks on these same I couldn’t figure out where the smoke best forest, the best employees – we themes. He said that the Park expe- went, because there’s a window above are blessed to have this situation, and rience would be diminished without the fireplace”). we dedicate ourselves to be zealous the historic buildings. He stressed stewards for its preservation.” the importance of preserving them Lucke related how Kirtland Cutter, and the stories that they embody. the lodge’s original architect, had a Also present for the event was Ian custom of starting the first fire in Tippet, manager of the lodge from Glacier Park Foundation directors the fireplace of buildings that he 1957 to 1960, and personnel di- Ray Djuff and Mark Hufstetler then designed. Cutter did so at Lake Mc- rector for the lodges from 1961 to gave the principal talks at the event. Donald on June 14, 1914. A color- 1996. He greeted numerous em- Both are noted Glacier Park histori- ful first-fire-lighting tradition is still ployees whom he had hired through ans, and we are honored to publish maintained at the lodge today. the decades, including current adaptations of their talks in this issue manager Todd Ashcraft. The cen- of The Inside Trail. Ray described Lucke explained that on the last day tennial united generations of lodge the lodge’s early history, while Mark of each season, bellmen take a flam- employees, Park staff and friends of gave a personal account of life there ing log from the fire. They run it Glacier Park. in more recent years. down to the boat dock and throw it

(photo courtesy of Mark Hufstetler.)

No sight in Glacier Park is more peaceful than the forest that borders the road on the east side of Lake McDonald.

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 3 Inside News of the Summer in Glacier Park Heroism and Tragedy the championship trophy, which is worked with him at Many Glacier Bystanders heroically plunged into proudly displayed in the lobby. Hotel, where he produced Broadway McDonald Creek in two emergency musicals from 1961 through 1983. The competition was renewed this situations early this summer, when summer, with a game every Friday Mr. Tippet stated that he has worked the water was swift and high. On evening. Eiland served as referee. in Glacier for 63 years, which drew July 12, Abigail Sylvester, 37, fell into Large groups of off-duty employ- great applause. He then announced the creek while taking photos. Her ees attended from the other lodges to the stunned audience that he will husband jumped in but could not (often displaying creative signs) to leave GPI after this season. He is reach her. Sylvester was carried over support their teams. The teams considering employment offers from Lower McDonald Falls, where a fa- were highly international, reflect- five-star hotels in London for next ther and son plunged in, swam to her ing the world-wide recruitment of year. He was given thunderous ap- and pulled her ashore. They applied employees by Glacier Park, Inc. and plause at the end of his speech. After CPR with the aid of park rangers, but by Xanterra. GPL’s squad for 2014 the program, dozens of people came were unable to save her life. Three again included Sefa and Lyuben, up to visit, talk, and take pictures days later, a 12-year-old boy fell into with teammates from many other with Mr. Tippet, and everyone was the creek above the falls and was nations (see photo on page 24). given birthday cake. pulled ashore by a heroic stranger. Mike Rihner’s reflection echoes the In early July, Glacier Park, Inc. completed sentiments of thousands of Glacier the purchase of the West Glacier Mercantile employees: “From the bottom of my Company from the Lundgren family, heart, I thank you so very much, Mr. Tippet, for without you, there would complementing GPI’s existing operations in and be no me. The opportunity you gave around Glacier National Park. to me when you offered the chance to come to work for you in Glacier Park “Glacier Cup” Soccer An end-of-summer tournament shaped my life in immeasurable ways. As soccer’s World Cup drew atten- again was held among the four That opportunity has helped make tion this summer, Glacier’s lodges lodges. Glacier Park Lodge defeated me the person I am today in virtually enjoyed a spirited competition. Many Glacier 11-4 in the cham- every positive way imaginable. You Games were played weekly on the pionship match, and will keep the always led by example, as your dedi- luxuriant front lawn at Glacier Park “Glacier Cup” for another year. cated and incredible work ethic has Lodge. inspired and still continues to inspire Ian Tippet’s Birthday me to this very day. Your intense The soccer rivalry began in 2013. July 27, 2014, was Ian Tippet’s 84th dedication to service, honor, loyalty, Two employees at Glacier Park birthday. Mike Rihner, the enter- humor, grace, and profoundly noble Lodge (Sefa, from Turkey, and tainment director at Glacier Park character are traits that we all aspire Lyuben, from Bulgaria) asked Lodge, honored Mr. Tippet and to have in some degree, and you have manager Kathy Eiland’s permission invited him to speak at that evening’s always possessed those traits in great to recruit a team and challenge the lobby performance. Mr. Tippet abundance. Thank you again, Mr. other lodges. Eiland contacted the recalled his first summer with the Tippet, thank you so very much. It managers at Many Glacier, Lake Glacier Park Hotel Co. in 1950. He has been an honor to work with you, McDonald, and St. Mary. All were described years of work at virtu- to laugh with you, to make music enthused about the proposal. The ally every location in the park, and with you, to be inspired by you, and maintenance crew constructed goals, his hiring (as personnel director for perhaps most importantly, to call you and games were played weekly on Glacier Park, Inc.) of many thou- a friend. Cheerio, dear friend, and the lawn. A tournament was played sands of employees. Among them at the end of August. GPL won were music and drama majors who (Continued on page 23)

4 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail Through the Years at Lake McDonald Lodge

(photo courtesy of the Glacier National Park archives.)

By Mark Hufstetler (Lake McDonald years. As such, it is easily the oldest several of them went into the tourist 1978-83) of Glacier’s park concessions. business. As the decade progressed, a series of cabin camps and other On June 14, 2014, Glacier Park The Lake McDonald area first visitor services began appearing officially marked the centennial of became a tourist destination in the along Lake McDonald’s shore, both Lake McDonald Lodge, the cozy and early 1890s, after the Great North- at the present site of Apgar and near inviting hostelry that has long been ern Railway (GN) built into north- the head of the lake. The latter loca- the hub of visitor life on the park’s western Montana in 1891. The tions were only accessible by boat. west side. The lodge is a charming railroad’s completion helped draw place, with a unique history very dif- homesteaders into the area, several of One of these early hostelries was at ferent from that of the better-known whom settled along the shore of the the present site of Lake McDonald Glacier hotels east of the Divide. lake. The land they chose wasn’t at Lodge, and was hosting visitors by Unlike the railway-built lodgings all suited for farming, but the home- at least 1895. A local settler named elsewhere in the park, the build- steaders were well aware of their George Snyder operated the prop- ings at Lake McDonald reflect the spectacular location, and before long erty during its first years, building a legacies of pioneer homesteaders and individual entrepreneurs – and reveal a story that even predates the cre- On June 15, 2014, Glacier Park officially marked ation of the park itself. And though the centennial of Lake McDonald Lodge, the the lodge building itself just turned 100, the location has now hosted cozy and inviting hostelry that has long been the summer visitors for close to 120 hub of visitor life on the park’s west side.

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 5 Through the Years at McD (continued) small, two-story wood-frame hotel hotel proprietor in the area. welcome. The new “Lewis Glacier at the site. Snyder’s property was Hotel” opened to the public on June The formal establishment of Glacier inaccessible by road, and so Snyder 15, 1914. National Park brought still more purchased a 40-foot steamboat and attention to the beauty of the Lake In addition to the hotel and cabin begun a launch service from Apgar McDonald region, and the number facilities, Lewis oversaw the construc- to the head of the lake. In those early of travelers to the area continued to tion of a number of other buildings years, visitors heading to the new slowly climb. A record 5,500 visitors at Lake McDonald, providing hous- Snyder Hotel were obliged to walk a traveled to the lake in the summer ing for employees, special services for quarter of a mile from the train sta- of 1913, a number that was destined guests and other auxiliary functions. tion at Belton to the Middle Fork of only to grow, and Lewis realized that All shared a straightforward, rustic the Flathead River where they were it was time to transform his rustic design that blended in well with the taken across in a rowboat. On the hotel. Determined not to be out- primeval forest setting. A small bar- opposite bank, a buckboard service done by the Great Northern Railway, bershop building appearedin 1909. carried them to Apgar where they which was rapidly expanding its Snyder Hall, a two-story log build- boarded the steamship to the head of Glacier visitor services, Lewis began ing, was built in 1911 as a public Lake McDonald. planning the construction of an en- assembly room with a stone fireplace Other hotels and guest services soon tirely new hotel that would truly be and seven upstairs bedrooms. A large began appearing nearby. In 1896, “something worthy of the park.” commercial laundry, a steam plant, Denny Comeau and Ernest Chris- and a hydroelectric facility were con- Lewis enlisted the noted regional tensen began taking saddle horse structed along Snyder Creek in the architect Kirkland Cutter to design parties on trips into the backcountry late 1910s. Other buildings added to his new building, and construction near the head of Lake McDonald. the site included a caretaker’s house commenced that November. Fix- Frank Geduhn, another local entre- (1922), the “Garden Court” em- tures, furnishings, and other materi- preneur, built a resort near the Mc- ployee dormitory (1927), and a soda als were freighted across the ice of Donald Creek inlet in 1899 and a fountain/dance hall building (also Lake McDonald during the winter log hotel a year later. In 1906 Frank 1927). Lewis also built a handsome months and carried by boat in the Kelly launched a gas-powered boat home at the site for himself and his spring. The three-story chalet-style to bring visitors to the head of the wife Olive – a building later known hotel, which featured steam heat, lake. Kelly also owned a number of as “Cobb Cabin,” for the author Ir- electric lights, and running water, guest cabins near the northern end vin S. Cobb, who stayed in the house contained 64 guest rooms (with 20 of the lake, and his “Kelly’s Camp” for a time. additional rooms in the adjacent buildings still survive today. cabins). The first floor featured an The Lewis Glacier Hotel flourished The year 1906 also saw the arrival elegant lobby and eight two-room through the 1920s. Glacier’s Su- of John E. Lewis, a Flathead Val- guest suites; the adjacent dining perintendent Ross Eakin called the ley businessman who was destined room was housed in a rustic log wing property “one of the most popular to transform the Lake McDonald that had been constructed three years hotels in the country,” and it was of- Lodge site. Lewis purchased the earlier. Guests arrived at the hotel ten filled to capacity. A major factor Snyder Hotel property and its sur- by boat, climbing a long set of steps in the hotel’s success was the ongoing rounding land, and soon began that led from the dock, and passing construction of the Going-to-the- erecting a string of 11 guest cabins, under a lakeside balcony to the main Sun Road, which was opened as far constructed of cedar and larch, entrance. No expense was spared as the hotel in 1921. This ease of ac- running along the shoreline to the in providing visitors with first-class cess drew an ever-increasing number north. (Several of these remain in accommodations and ambiance, al- of visitors to the park’s west side, a use today.) By 1910, when the U.S. though Lewis also made sure that his number that grew even more after Congress made Glacier a National long-time friends and acquaintances the road was completed from Lake Park, Lewis was the most prominent from the Flathead Valley were made McDonald to Logan Pass in 1929.

6 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail Through the Years at McD (continued) The arrival of the automobile greatly the hotel complex became federal was closed during the Word War II changed the character of Lewis’ property, and the business was incor- years, but the property was back in hotel, and of the visitor experience porated into the Glacier Park Hotel full operation by 1946. Things were there. Until 1921, the lakeside door Company’s larger concession. The little changed for the next decade, was the building’s main entry, and Lewis Glacier Hotel became the Lake though the hotel received a bit more the doors on the opposite side led McDonald Hotel, the newest addi- local competition in 1955, with the to a vegetable garden, a pasture and tion to the Great Northern Railway’s opening of Frank Stuart’s “Motel horse corrals, and then the wilder- portfolio of Glacier Park lodgings. Lake McDonald” on an inholder ness. The construction of the Sun tract just behind the campstore. Under its new ownership and man- Road nearly reversed the landscape; (Other privately-owned lodging agement, the hotel and its grounds roads and parking lots gradually facilities also operated for years on saw a series of gradual changes dur- filled the old pasture area, and the inholdings farther east, some until ing the 1930s. The Sun Road was trailheads and stables were moved the late 1970s.) The mid-1950s also rebuilt to slightly bypass the hotel farther away. To absorb the feel- saw a major fire at the hotel laundry, area in 1936-37, creating the align- ing of the wilderness, visitors now which resulted in its closure and later ment that remains in use today and headed out the former front doors to conversion into an employee dorm. adding the handsome stone bridges escape the automobiles and relax on Cobb Cabin and the old hydro- across Snyder Creek. Associated the shore of the lake. electric plant also became employee projects saw the construction of housing, and the barbershop became Lewis continued operating his the circular drive that now marks a nurse’s station. Glacier Hotel through the 1920s, the hotel’s southern entrance, as though his enthusiasm for the well as the long parking boulevards Meanwhile, the Park Service began to talk more and more openly about The lodge is a charming place, with a unique the prospect of replacing the Lake McDonald hotel altogether, in large history very different from that of the better- part because the agency felt that it known Glacier hotels east of the Divide. didn’t best meet the needs of the era’s automobile-based travelers. The park had been pushing for more venture had faded by the end of connecting the hotel area to the motel and cabin-type accommoda- the decade. The massive 1929 Half main road. The Glacier Park Hotel tions in Glacier since the 1930s, an Moon forest fire in the Apgar area Company completed the location’s effort that resulted in the construc- destroyed much of the lovely cedar- new campstore building in 1938, a tion of new facilities at Swiftcurrent hemlock forest at the foot of the lake, facility that served both as a stopover and Rising Sun, and the closure of and perhaps reminded Lewis of the point for auto travelers and a grocery the grand old chalet complex at Sun fragility of the hotel’s setting. At the store for the seasonal residents who Point. Plans for a replacement motel same time, continually increasing maintained summer homes near complex at Apgar were considered, tourist numbers prompted the Park the lakeshore. The campstore also but the Great Northern resisted Service to pressure Lewis to expand housed the Lake McDonald post the proposal and it was ultimately his operation, a project that Lewis office for many years. In the hotel dropped. felt he could ill afford. When the itself, private bathrooms were finally Park Service and the Great Northern added to a number of the guest Instead, Lake McDonald and the Railway’s Glacier Park Hotel Com- rooms. At the end of the decade, the other concessionaire properties un- pany proposed the construction of a hotel and cabins offered a total of 72 derwent a late-1950s refurbishment competing hotel on adjacent federal rooms, with space to accommodate underwritten by the Great Northern land, Lewis felt that he had no choice approximately 135 overnight guests. Railway. The GN in 1956 contract- but to sell. Through a series of finan- ed with the Knutson Corporation of Along with most of Glacier’s guest cial transactions in 1930 and 1932, Minneapolis to refurbish its Gla- facilities, Lake McDonald Hotel

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 7 Through the Years at McD (continued) cier facilities, partly to appease the flooding on both the east and west Changes at the lodge during the first Park Service and partly to make the sides of the Continental Divide. years of the 21st Century focused properties seem more appealing to At Lake McDonald Lodge, Snyder heavily on employee housing. A potential buyers. Improvements to Creek flooded its banks and Lake large new employee dormitory and the Lake McDonald Hotel included McDonald rose significantly as up cafeteria complex was developed the addition of a cocktail lounge and to eight inches of precipitation fell behind the existing coffee shop, us- gift shop in 1958; reconfiguration of on the southern portions of the ing new buildings that were sugges- the first floor office and bathroom Park. The flooding damaged por- tive of the chalet-style architecture facilities; and the construction of a tions of the lodge dining room and that had characterized the park for new front desk. The hotel was also the grill in the employee recreation a century. The historic old Hydro renamed “Lake McDonald Lodge,”a hall. Probably in response to the and Johnson dorms were razed in term that was felt to be more con- flood damage, a new coffee shop favor of additional parking, while temporary and inviting. building and associated parking lot the Snyder and Cobb buildings were were constructed at Lake McDonald As the railway completed the refur- transformed into additional visitor the following year, on a prominent bishment of its Glacier properties, lodgings. And the summer of 2013 location near the east end of the it began to more actively search for brought the promise of still other complex. In contrast to the earlier a buyer for the concession, and the changes to come, as the Park Service buildings at the site, the coffee shop business was finally sold in Janu- announced that the Glacier conces- displayed contemporary architectural ary 1961 to an Arizona capitalist sion contract would be given to the lines that, to some eyes, conflicted named Don Hummel, who had also Xanterra corporation. (The Motel with its environment. owned concession facilities in Lassen Lake McDonald property, however, and Mt. McKinley National Parks. The concession operation changed remains a part of GPI.) Hummel began operating Lake hands again in 1981, when Glacier Today, Lake McDonald Lodge enjoys McDonald and the other Glacier Park, Inc. was acquired by a corpo- full bookings virtually throughout concessions that summer, under the rate predecessor of the Viad Corpo- its season of operation. Visitors, in name Glacier Park Incorporated. ration. In 1988-89, the Park Service the same fashion as their predeces- undertook a $1.2 million renovation During Hummel’s 20-year tenure in sors in 1914, enjoy its lovely grounds of Lake McDonald Lodge, restoring the Park, a number of changes took and setting along the shore of Lake the lobby to its original flavor and place at the Lodge complex. Snyder McDonald, eat in its log dining general historic configuration. A to- Hall became an employee dormi- room, and gaze up at the summit tory, and the soda fountain and dance hall were modified to serve as Unlike the railway-built lodgings elsewhere in the an employee recreation facility and park, the buildings at Lake McDonald reflect the public auditorium. A gas station was built near the campstore in 1962. In legacies of pioneer homesteaders and individual 1966, Hummel privately purchased entrepreneurs – and reveal a story that even the Lake McDonald Motel from the predates the creation of the park itself. Stuart family, and began operating it as part of the lodge property. Still tem pole was erected near the lodge’s of Mount Brown, more than a mile more employee housing was added vehicle-side entrance, commemorat- above them. And, like the first guests in 1968, when ten guest cabins from ing a similar pole that once stood by that arrived at the Lodge via George the Swiftcurrent auto camp were the lakeside façade. Other improve- Snyder’s steamship, they can catch a trucked to Lake McDonald and con- ments included the restoration of the glimpse of its lakeside entrance from verted to dormitory space. lobby fireplace, and massive changes the deck of the DeSmet and imagine Torrential rains fell in the Park in to the landscaping surrounding the arriving at the Lewis Glacier Hotel at early June 1964, causing disastrous building. the beginning of the last century.

8 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail Great Characters of the Early Years at Lake McD

Charlie Russell, Irwin Cobb and John Lewis at Lake McDonald Lodge, 1920s

(photo courtesy of Great Northern records, Minnesota Historical Society)

By Ray Djuff (Prince of Wales 1973-75, McDonald spiked. The easy access mountains are easily climbed and if ‘78) railway service offered opened this you’re not the vigorous, outdoors type, tranquil region to settlers. Among the easy on the eye. Lake McDonald Lodge is hallowed pioneers who flocked to the shores ground. This site, more than any other Due to the prevailing Pacific winds of the lake are such familiar names – I would argue – is the birthplace and the nearby Continental Divide, as Milo Apgar, Frank Kelly, Denny of tourism in what is now Glacier precipitation can be heavy and the Comeau, Charlie Howe and Frank National Park. And the lodge, whose landscape lush, much of it covered Gedhun – interestingly, all of whom centennial we celebrated June 14, is in those early days by cedar trees. In saw more opportunity in tourism than the ultimate manifestation of those the lake, salmon, trout and whitefish homesteading. early efforts. were abundant. Lake McDonald soon Tourism was a natural fit. Lake Mc- became a place to visit, hike, boat and In this essay I’d like to look at some of Donald is almost 10 miles long and a fish, or just rest, taking in the sunshine the key players – characters, I should little over a mile wide. It’s flanked by while relaxing among the fragrant probably say – whose efforts laid the Howe Ridge to the west and Snyder cedars. groundwork for the hotel and who were Ridge to the east, with mountain responsible for its initial success. Among those early pioneers to set up peaks beyond rising 4,000 to 5,000 a tourism business was George Snyder. The moment in 1891 when construc- feet above lake level. Many of the tion crews for the Great Northern Railway punched their way eastward, Lake McDonald Lodge is hallowed ground. This laying lines through Marias Pass site, more than any other . . . is the birthplace of toward Columbia Falls, Kalispell, tourism in what is now Glacier National Park. Whitefish and beyond, interest in Lake

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 9 Great Characters (continued)

Snyder was just 23 when he showed Whitney was known as an unabashed Creek basin, Sperry found what he had up on the shores of Lake McDonald promoter. A newspaper report said been searching for: the glacier that now in 1894. While we know some of his Whitney “seems to have but one bears his name. background, other aspects are vague purpose in life and it is to build up With the Great Northern’s passenger – such as why the Wisconsin-born and develop the great Northwest. How traffic manager Whitney promoting Snyder was in Montana at all. Ac- many hours a day he works no one Lake McDonald, Snyder’s place, vari- quaintance and artist Ace Powell said knows, but it is far more than the labor ously referred to as Hotel Glacier or he thought Snyder was a remittance unions demand for the day laborer.” the Glacier Hotel, became a popular man, given that Snyder had been mar- Snyder’s hotel was no palace. An spot, and more buildings were added. ried and quickly divorced, both little article in the St. Paul Globe newspaper more than a year prior to his arrival. Apparently comfortable with his suc- described it as“a plain but comfort- Maybe Snyder left the bosom of his cess, Snyder tried marriage again, but able stopping place . . . a good starting family and came west in shame. We like his first attempt the love didn’t last place for parties going into the moun- may never know. and four years later it was over. Legend tains.” But to go where, exactly, as has it that Snyder lost the hotel in a What Snyder found in Montana was there were few if any developed trails high-stakes poker game, but I think a new beginning, claiming land on a in the mountains other than those cre- otherwise. In May 1906 Snyder’s wife large, flat parcel on the east shore of ated by animals? Ida divorced him. I believe he was Lake McDonald, eventually building One of Snyder’s hotel guests, Lyman despondent over his failed marriage a two-storey frame hotel to cater to Sperry, a professor from Oberlin Col- and later that year sold the hotel and tourists, the Hotel Glacier. But how lege in Ohio, would “discover” two more than 280 acres to try to put the to get the tourists to the hotel? Snyder of the most popular destinations and heartache behind him. acquired a 40-foot steamer and had help create the trails to get there. Prof. the boat transported overland to the The buyer was Olive Lewis, the wife Sperry was certain a source of Lake Mc- lake. Snyder was no fool – he prompt- of Columbia Falls businessman and Donald’s water was a glacier and in his ly named the vessel the F.I. Whitney, lawyer John Lewis. The Iowa-born attempts to find it stumbled first upon after the Great Northern passenger John Lewis came west to play profes- what we now call the “Trail of the Ce- traffic manager who could direct so sional baseball in Helena and never dars” and, at its end, Avalanche Lake. much business his way. left Montana. He dabbled in numer- Then, meandering up the Sprague ous business activities, from the fur

Hays foresaw business increasing at the hotel and wanted in early. So he quietly commissioned Kalispell boat builder William Swanson to create the Motor Vessel De Smet. The boat made its debut

on Lake McDonald in (photo courtesy of the Glacier the summer of 1930. National Park archives)

10 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail We can thank George Snyder for the initial concept and location, John and Olive Lewis for the traditions of hospitality and early start on Sun Road, architect Kirtland Cutter for the building design, Charlie Russell and friends for the entertainment, and Howard Hays for the De Smet and the Red buses. It is a rich legacy that has grown each year, thanks to dedicated staff and management.

Great Characters (continued) trade to hotels, such as the Gaylord hotel are being prepared by architect at Sperry to replace the tent camp, in Columbia Falls. He was gregari- [Marion] B. Riffo of [Kalispell]. . . . the Lewises could see the writing on ous and involved with many groups, A striking feature of the plan will be the wall. Determined not to be left including the Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis an immense circular lobby, with heavy behind, in 1912 John and Olive Lewis Club, Elks and Odd Fellows. Olive cedar columns, great fireplaces, lofty commissioned Kirtland Cutter – of was equally social, given to entertain- ceilings heavily beamed with wide the Spokane architectural firm Cutter ing and rallying her acquaintances to openings leading to the verandas, the and Malmgren – to design a hotel that various community activities. dining rooms, [and a] pergola running would be smaller, but equal, to what to a large summer house further up the Great Northern was doing else- John and Olive Lewis took Snyder’s the hill.” Lewis was thinking big. where in the park. hotel operation to a new level. Almost immediately Olive Lewis revamped John and Olive Lewis held off on that Cutter came with a strong regional the main floor of the Hotel Glacier to plan, though, and watched for two reputation. Not only had he designed give it a more modern, elegant look. years as the Great Northern Railway the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell, Olive and John also started throw- pushed ahead with its developments, the Glover Mansion in Spokane and ing parties to which all the summer especially construction of Glacier Park Rainier Club in Seattle, he penned residents around the lake were invited, Lodge and a series of chalet and tent designs suited for rural settings, such as well as shindigs for their social and camps, each spread roughly a day’s as North Point for Lucy Carnegie (yes, business acquaintances in Columbia ride apart throughout Glacier. For those Carnegies) and the Idaho Build- Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish. Word the most part all these facilities were ing at the 1893 World Columbian soon spread about these parties. Dur- east of the Continental Divide, which Exposition in Chicago. Cutter had ing an inspection in 1910, the sheriff bisects the park, but two of the camps previously submitted a design to the determined that Lewis “had been a were west of the Divide. Great Northern for the Belton Chalet little too hospitable . . . and had been in 1909, and later was sought by the One, Sperry Camp, was just six miles furnishing visitors liquor . . . without railway to draw up plans for Many up the mountain from Lewis’s hotel the necessary license.” Not to worry. Glacier Hotel, although in the end the and on the route to Sperry Glacier. Lewis, with his legal background and railway used its own man for the final No longer did Lewis have a monopoly political connections, had the issue design at Many Glacier. on the glacier. Tourists could arrive at sorted out in no time. West Glacier and stay at the railway’s The result of Cutter’s effort, and Business was soon booming and the Belton Chalets, take a boat to Lewis’s $64,000 spent by the Lewises for Lewises were on a roll. They added hotel, and then ride a horse or hike construction and outfitting, is Lake more cabins to the north of the hotel to the Great Northern’s Sperry Camp, McDonald Lodge. to handle the increased tourism traffic from where they could scramble to the The Columbian newspaper said the and when the Glacier region became glacier. As well, the tourists didn’t have new hotel “not only equals the beauti- a national park in 1910, John Lewis to return to Lewis’s hotel, but could ful [East Glacier] structure in every pondered a major expansion to ac- continue on to other Great Northern way, but it goes about it one point commodate an expected influx of facilities. better. . . . The Lewis Hotel stands even more tourists. A December 1910 When the Great Northern started out from its rival by virtue of the fact newspaper story said the “plans for the talking about a permanent structure

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 11 Great Characters (continued)

The spirit of this great hotel remains much as it was in those early years, undaunted by the passage of time.

(photos courtesy of Krys Peterson; Glacier National Park archives) George Snyder, Howard Hays that a lady attended to the buying and had a summer place on the lake called tor Thomas Walsh, another summer installation of the furnishings. Mrs. Bull Head Lodge and Charlie relished resident. A Teddy Roosevelt Republi- Lewis has selected with a lavish hand the mountain retreat where he could can, Lewis wasn’t above currying favor and artistic taste and given to the place undertake new painting or finish with Democrats who might help him. an air of hominess and cheeriness that incomplete ones. “It’s about as wild a How newspaper humor columnist man fails to give in such work.” place as you can find these days,” Rus- and author Irvin Cobb was drawn to sell wrote, “and that is what I like.” The Lewises knew that to survive and the Hotel Glacier is not clear to me, thrive they’d have to do more than just The Russell home attracted other art- but he started coming after the First offer a comfortable lodging. Realizing ists, and was frequented by the likes of World War and was a regular for many the importance of the automobile to Olaf C. Seltzer, Joe De Yong, Maynard years. You might describe Cobb as the changing American way of life, Dixon, Charlie Beil, Philip Goodwin the David Letterman of his day. His Lewis shelled out money to build 3.5 and Ralph DeCamp. They would writing was rich and detailed, first for miles of road along the eastern side of sometimes tag along when Nancy and newspapers, including the New York Lake McDonald from Apgar. It was a Charlie went a’ calling on the Lewises. Sun, and, later, articles for Saturday first step in the construction of what It could make for a very distinguished Evening Post. His books were turned would become Sun Road, which by guest list when the Russells showed up into movies, starting in 1921, with his 1922 was completed to his doorstep. at the Hotel Glacier. Hollywood career reaching its peak The arrival of the first auto tourists with talkies in the 1930s. By then he Local legend says that Lewis and Rus- was reason for a party and the Lewises was such a national celebrity he was sell were such fast friends that Russell had just the place for it: a recreation picked to host the 1935 Academy was invited to draw the designs on the hall added to the complex in 1911. It’s Awards ceremony at which Shirley lobby fireplace here as it was being now called Snyder Hall. Temple was given a special Oscar. built, but I’ve found no evidence to Cobb’s Kentucky humor and knack “There will be a big dance Saturday back up that claim. The blueprints for for storytelling made him an engaging night, the music by a special orches- the hotel show pictographic drawings guest, who at one point was presented tra,” the local newspaper reported. surrounding the fireplace. There are with a mounted “fur-bearing trout” “This will be one of the biggest com- similar designs on the fireplace at Rus- during a banquet at the hotel. It no munity gatherings of the season.” sell’s Bull Head Lodge, which I think doubt sparked much good-natured sparked the story Russell was some- What made such gatherings special banter from Cobb. If you’re interested, how involved. beyond just the occasion was the pos- the fish is on display at the Whitefish sibility of distinguished guests attend- Other high profile guests at parties the train station. ing, with none other than cowboy art- Lewises threw could include Senator By the late 1920s the Lewises, now ist Charlie Russell and his wife Nancy Burton Wheeler and his wife Lulu, in their 60s, were looking to get out as regular hotel visitors. The Russells who had a cabin on the lake, and Sena- of the hotel business. Lewis had a lot

12 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail Great Characters (continued) of tire-kickers, but only one serious Columbia Falls burned to the ground. and from Logan Pass, as far as the road potential buyer: the Great Northern That summer, the Half Moon Bay was completed on the west side. Railway. The National Park Service forest fire destroyed many buildings Behind it all, though, Hays had his also wanted the place, to reduce the near and around Apgar, including the own agenda. He had bought the bus number of inholders, to use the park beautiful cedar forest that so attracted company expressly because he knew service’s term, but it lacked the cash. tourists to the area. And in October, Sun Road would be a boon to local By then the west side of Sun Road was the stock markets crashed. While in tourism. Hays foresaw business increas- nearly completed from West Glacier 1929 no one knew the slump would ing at the hotel and wanted in early. So to Logan Pass and the railway could be the beginning of the nearly decade- he quietly commissioned Kalispell boat envision the day when the entire road long Great Depression, John Lewis builder William Swanson to create the would be done. With the resulting wasn’t about to tempt fate, especially Motor Vessel De Smet. The boat made its traffic, one railway official predicted after being told the national economic debut on Lake McDonald in the sum- the hotel will “do a big business.” situation might delay the completion mer of 1930. The De Smet is now in of Sun Road for years. It would be nice to say the sale to the the hands of the family of Art Burch, Great Northern went smoothly, but In February 1930 the Lewises sold the who deserves more mention than I can that wasn’t the case. To say the least, hotel to the Dakota and Great North- possibly devote in the space I have. the negotiations were acrimonious. ern Township Company, a railway The Great Northern would make a Lewis wanted $350,000 for the hotel, subsidiary which would hold it in trust few changes – switching the name while the railway countered with until the Park Service had sufficient to Lake McDonald Hotel, adding $275,000. Over the next two years, it cash to take the hotel and land off its the boulevard from Sun Road, and was a Mexican standoff between the hands. By that point, 1932, the U.S. building the General Store– but they Lewises and the railway, with neither economy had so soured that the Great are minor in the big scheme of things. side willing to budge and the negotia- Northern was glad to have the money The spirit of this great hotel remains tions turning ugly. and only be leasing the property. much as it was in those early years, The railway warned John Lewis the In the midst of all the to and fro of undaunted by the passage of time. federal government might try con- negotiations with the Lewises was We can thank George Snyder for the demnation proceedings to obtain the Howard Hays, who had taken over the initial concept and location, John property. In reaction, Lewis sought bus concession in Glacier starting in and Olive Lewis for the traditions permission to build a hotel at Logan 1927. Hays was a newspaper publisher of hospitality and early start on Sun Pass, which was now accessible from from Riverside, California, who had Road, architect Kirtland Cutter for his hotel. The park service shot down previously managed concessions in the building design, Charlie Russell that idea, as the Great Northern had Yellowstone. The railway used Hays as and friends for the entertainment, and right of first refusal on the site. The a middleman in talks with the Lewis- Howard Hays for the De Smet and the railway countered that it might instead es. Hays was new to the park and had Red buses. It is a rich legacy that has build a new hotel at the head of Lake no history of animosity with John and grown each year, thanks to dedicated McDonald by buying Denny Co- Olive. In fact, Hays and the Lewises staff and management. meau’s property. So Lewis started bad- got along well, and by 1929 Hays was Here’s looking forward to Lake Mc- mouthing service at Sperry Chalets, running his buses from the hotel to Donald Lodge’s next 100 years. telling customers to avoid the place. When business at Sperry took a hit, the railway threatened to remove all references to the Lewises’ hotel from The spirit of this great hotel remains much as its literature, even at the expense of the railway’s fellow concessioners, the it was in those early years, undaunted by the Red bus and saddle horse companies. passage of time. The breaking point came in 1929. In January, the Lewises’ Gaylord Hotel in

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 13 By Mark Hufstetler (Lake McD, 1978-83) In the spring of 1940 a Minnesota college student named Bonham Cross packed up Bonham Cross, and headed to Montana for the sum- mer, joining hundreds of other young a Bellman-Photographer in ‘41 men and women working at the famed hotels and chalets of Glacier National Park. Employed as a bellman at Lake McDonald Hotel, Bonham enjoyed a memorable summer in the mountains, and he returned the following season with his brother in tow. The pair had a great time with many adventures, and Bonham picked up the lifelong nickname “Wolf” thanks to his voracious appetite in the hotel’s employee cafeteria. (Rob- ert, even a heavier eater, became known as the “Cub.”) That summer, Bonham also managed to attract the attention of a young soda fountain worker named Marie Swanberg, and the two were married in 1945. Bonham was also a talented photographer, and brought his camera gear with him to Lake McDonald. During his seasons at the hotel, he created several dozen care- fully composed photos of employee life at the hotel, an evocative record of what it was like to work in Glacier in the years before World War II. Processed as glass- plate lantern slides, a fading technology even in 1941, the collection of photos remained with him for the rest of his life. As with many young men of his era, Bonham’s college career was interrupted by the advent of World War II. He joined the military and became a decorated Army pilot, flying B-25 missions over Italy. Returning to Minnesota after the war, he settled in the Twin Cities with Marie and began a career as a newspaper photogra- pher. Afflicted by hearing loss caused in (photos by part by his B-25 days, he spent his later Bonham Cross, years as an active volunteer and an advo- courtesy of the cate for the hearing disabled. Glacier National Park archives.) Bonham Cross died in April 2008 at the age of 87, and the following year his During his seasons at the hotel, he created several family donated his lantern-slide photos of dozen carefully composed photos of employee life Lake McDonald to the Glacier National Park Archives. The images are a won- at the hotel, an evocative record of what it was like derful record of employee life in Glacier to work in Glacier in the years before World War II. three-quarters of a century ago.

14 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail (photos by Bonham Cross, courtesy of the Glacier National Park archives.)

The Summer of ‘52 at Lake McD By Carol Lindsay (Lake McDonald 1952) The four of us decided to hitchhike buildings on the mountain. Later, to Big Mountain. (We weren’t allowed Elaine told us she was following a tele- I remember how it began – a call for to have cars.) It was raining when we phone line down the mountain which me in the hall of our freshman dorm in reached Whitefish, but we were unde- had been set up for the Junior Nationals. Moorhead, Minnesota. Mama Frase, terred. We pooled our cash and took a the manager of Lake McDonald Lodge, When we reached the Chalet, it was cab up to the Big Mountain Chalet and was on the other end – “I have a job for late in the afternoon and we had a long the ski lift. you at Lake McDonald if you’re willing way to go. Somehow we got down to to work in the mess hall.” In 1952, there was only a T-bar and a Whitefish and started hitchhiking back. rope tow. Neither of them operated We were so soaked and muddy that the It wasn’t the job I had applied for, but during the summer. But Elaine led us only ride we got was in an empty cattle it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. on foot up the mountain beside the T- truck. At Lake McDonald the mess hall Interviews for jobs in Glacier had been bar and beyond to the very top. At the was closed, but someone in the kitchen held in St Paul, but being in college and summit it was raining even harder and felt sorry for us and fed us. short of funds, I hadn’t been able to go. fog had set in obscuring our view. Later that night, Jan, who had been June was rainy that summer at Lake Descending, we stumbled down a dry crying coming down the mountain, was McDonald, with frequent snowfall in creek bed with heavy vegetation for sent to the hospital in Whitefish with an the mountains. Since none of the high hours, or so it seemed. I thought we appendicitis attack. Her parents were country trails were open, we had to were lost, and my friend Jan eventually contacted and she went home to Ohio. spend our days off elsewhere. Three started crying. Because of the fog, we We didn’t see her again. Her summer other girls shared my day off, and one, couldn’t see the other two. in Glacier was over before it began. So Elaine Hallside, had skied in the Junior much for Whitefish, Big Mountain and Nationals on Big Mountain the previous When it seemed we could go no fur- the Junior Nationals! winter and wanted to show us the view ther, I glimpsed the roof of the Chalet from the top. through the clouds - one of only two

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 15 The Summer of ‘52 (continued)

Because Logan Pass was still closed, we of our relationship. Other more pleas- see the goats on the pass, but as the oth- hitchhiked into Kalispell the next week. ant dates with gearjammers were spent ers started down the trail to Lake Ellen This was the first Montana town I had at the grill getting to know one another Wilson, I decided to sit down and slide seen that I liked. The shopping was or at Whitey’s in Hungry Horse dancing down the shale. It looked like the trail great at Hummer’s and Harmon’s – and the night away. We knew that jammers shirted the lake and I knew the other on top of that, it didn’t rain. Three had a girl at every hotel, but that didn’t girls were planning to swim. I called years later, I would begin my career stop us from having a good time. ahead to them announcing my intention. teaching English at Flathead County Other highlights of that summer at They were quick to respond: “Don’t do High School in Kalispell. Lake McDonald included an employee it! We’ll come back and help you.” I’m getting ahead of my story. When Talent Night for the tourists in the Hiking under the waterfall, it wasn’t long Logan Pass opened, the high country was recreation hall. I remember perform- till we reached the lake. Looking back irresistible. Siyeh and Piegan Passes were ing an original skit beginning with the up to the Pass, I could see how steep the two of my favorites. The bellmen at Lake words, “Would you believe it, I used fall would have been had I tried to slide McDonald were my partners on these to be an average college girl…” I had down the shale, which ended in cliffs. (I hikes. I didn’t hesitate to follow them. some experience in plays in both high may not have been here to tell the story.) We skied down the vast snowfields on school and college and liked to “ham it As there was no one in sight, Elaine and the other side of Siyeh Pass in our tennis up.” My roommate from Hawaii was Audrey skinny dipped in the lake, while I shoes. What a thrill! Fortunately, we a big hit with her hula dance complete sat on the bank recovering. stopped before going over the cliff. The with a grass skirt. view was magnificent in all directions I felt fine when we started hiking up Hugh O’Brien and his leading lady also from Sexton Glacier on the right to Lake Lincoln Pass. When we reached Sperry held court in the evening at the grill St. Mary in the valley far below. Chalet, we knew we had it made – six with the employees. They were filming miles straight down to Lake McDonald. Hiking in the shadow of Mt. Gould, in the park. I suppose one might say we We’d never heard of hiking boots, so on the Piegan Pass trail, we felt the cool were all “star struck.” we hiked in sneakers. By the time we spray of Feather Plume Falls arching high Occasionally that summer, we would reached Lake McDonald, I had blisters above us. Above the falls, a lone violinist catch a glimpse of a small black bear on both heels as big as silver dollars. perfected her arpeggios reaching the very or two feeding along Going to the Sun But we’d done it – 20 miles in one day! portals of heaven. But what I remember Highway a ways from the hotel. We most is a lovely scent somewhere along Every day that summer of 1952, after watched as he or she ambled off into the that trail still haunts me after all this the rains of June, had been picture woods and thought nothing more about time. Whether from flowers or bush, perfect. It was like living in paradise, it. One evening at dinnertime toward I’m sure others must experienced it too. weather wise. But late that summer, the end of the summer, a huge ruckus It would be part of my Glacier Park there was talk about closing the park announced an uninvited guest. A griz- experience that first summer that made because of the lack of rain. Plans were zly bear was rummaging through the an indelible mark on me. drawn up. And then it started to rain garbage cans outside the kitchen door! and rained all day for several days. Just Because I had afternoons off from my job You can imagine the noise he made and as suddenly as it started raining, it in the mess hall, I was able to spend after- the ensuing panic. This was the first stopped; the weather turned beautiful noons sun bathing on the beach at Lake time most of us had seen a grizzly. That again and it was time to leave. McDonald. I can’t say we swam much was a wakeup call. because the water was too cold, but we That summer marked my coming of Elaine Hallside, Audrey Pull and I had had our own employee beach away from age. When I went back home and saved our best hike for the last so we’d the tourists. One afternoon I hiked with started my sophomore year in college, I be in shape. They were waitresses and another employee to Fish Lake and back knew who I was and knew that I had a brought me breakfast in bed the day we again in time to get to work. passion for the West and the mountains. left to hike Gunsight Pass. Starting at I had grown up through my experiences The highlight of the summer was a Jackson Glacier Overlook, the hike to with people and my surroundings in a moonlight employee boat ride on the Gunsight Lake was beautiful though far away place. Glacier Park, in particu- lake. I had a date with a gearjammer uneventful. lar, would always be a launching pad to and received my first French kiss at eigh- But climbing up Gunsight Pass made me the fulfillment of my dreams. teen. Needless to say, that was the end feel sick to my stomach. It was fun to

16 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail Making Music at McD, GPL and Many for 25 years By Michael Rihner (Glacier Park, Inc. musical productions at Many Glacier to each other’s locations and performed 1990-2014) over the years. I had directed a few col- full musical programs together as a lege musical productions myself, but it “power-trio.” During that summer I I can still vividly remember that fateful was obvious that times had changed, also composed many of my “Glacier day in the early spring of 1990 when and the musical performances in the Piano Reflections” pieces, some of which the phone rang and the voice on the lobby of Many Glacier were now a would later be performed by the Glacier other end said with a distinctive English much more informal thing, with each Symphony at the Glacier Park Centen- accent, “Hello, Mr. Michael Rihner, this evening’s entertainment being a type of nial Celebration in 2010. is Ian B. Tippet. You have been hired to “Variety Show.” work in Glacier Park and we are going The summer of 1994 marked the return to place you at Many Glacier Hotel for One day, when I was hiking along beau- of more formal staged productions at the summer where you will be the En- tiful Josephine Lake, I got the idea to Many Glacier Hotel. The American tertainment Director. It will be the best stage the variety show like a real modern Cabaret Theater was hired to stage its summer of your life.” day variety show. So in that first sum- cabaret production of “Decades.” Mr. mer of 1990, right there in the lobby of Tippet called me to say that I would At the time, I was a recent college Many Glacier Hotel, we staged “Late be the Music Director of the cabaret, graduate with a music degree right out Night ‘Live’ from Glacier Park,” a David and his enthusiasm was quite apparent. of the University of New Orleans, and Letterman-style variety show that fea- “Decades” ran for almost 70 nights that I was trying to figure out what I was tured all the various employee musical summer. going to do with the rest of my life to talent at Many Glacier. make some money. Jesse Nolan, a music In 1995, I was appointed to be the Mu- friend of mine at the college, told me Hank, the dorm dad, acted as David sic Director of “Country Western Caba- how he had spent the last two summers Letterman, I was Paul Shaeffer. We ret” at Glacier Park Lodge. The banjo as a singing waiter at Glacier Park Lodge had a full band, and various employees skills of Charles Lackey from Nashville just outside Glacier National Park. He would parade “on-stage” and perform helped give that country western cabaret told me about Glacier Park, Inc., and their musical selections in character. We real authenticity, and it ran for about said they had a current practice of hiring had performances by “Julie Andrews”, 70 nights. American Cabaret Theater Entertainment Directors to organize “Bob Dylan,” and even “Luciano Pava- continued a long run for about six more informal music in the lobbies at each rotti” to name but a few. Some humor- years with productions at both Many of the three main lodges: Many Glacier ous skits were interspersed between the Glacier and Glacier Park Lodge. Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, and musical selections, including: “Know Lake McDonald Lodge was where I Glacier Park Lodge. Your Animal Tracks,” “Conversations spent the summer of 1996. I took a vol- with a Grizzly,” “Small Town News” This seemed exciting, and my friend untary reprieve from the fixed repertoire (which featured actual humorous arti- further encouraged me by saying, “You’d of the cabaret productions to have more cles from The Hungry Horse News!) And be perfect for this job because you play personal artistic freedom to perform I even created our own “Top-Ten List:” piano, guitar, drums, you sing, and you variety shows again with the employees. “The top ten things you will discover have directed various music produc- The cozy atmosphere of the Lake Mc- in Glacier Park.” (#1: You will discover tions. And you will meet people from Donald lobby, with the piano right next there is no TV in the hotel!) all over the country. And more impor- to the fireplace, made for a wonderful tantly, I need you to play the piano for I returned to Many Glacier as Entertain- performance venue for more intimate me when I sing!” So I sent in an appli- ment Director again in 1993. This time performances. cation, and the next thing I knew, the I was armed with my recently received I played a lot more acoustic guitar that phone was ringing on that fateful day. Master of Music Degree from Louisi- summer, probably more than ever before, We loaded up my friend’s small car and ana State University. It seemed that the and I created a rotating series of variety left New Orleans in mid-May to begin pool of talented employees had declined shows, each night with its own special the long drive together across the coun- somewhat from what it was in 1990. But theme. “Mountain Music,” “Popular try toward the best summer of my life. I became close with the other two enter- Classics,” “Broadway Hits” and “Old tainment directors at Lake McDonald When we arrived in East Glacier in May Time Cowboy Songs” were but a few and Glacier Park Lodge, both of whom 1990, I was immediately educated by could sing and play well. Throughout Mr. Tippet on the great history of the (continued on page 22) that entire summer of 1993 we travelled

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 17 Soon it was the beginning of August. A waitress had seriously cut her hand. We A Coffee Shop Romance in ‘74 had to switch jobs until she healed enough By Carole (Cox) Murphy (Lake McDonald One morning late in June, on a particu- to be able to get it wet again. I was in the 1973-74) larly trying morning, I seated a pair of kitchen one morning on waitress duty. campers at a two top in the center of the The temporary hostess dashed in. “Carole, This year, 2014, is a year of many anniver- restaurant. As I dashed frequently past Detroit’s back! I set him in your station.” saries significant to my experience as a GPI their table, I heard wisecracks directed employee at Lake McDonald Lodge. On In the dining room, at a two-top close to at me. This gave rise to banter between June 14, the lodge that I love turned 100 the one at which I had initially seated him, them and me, a very pleasant reprieve years old. The centennial celebration was was Murphy. He had a different friend from being sweet for a few seconds at a fun, sentimental, and well attended. with him. This guy, Chris, had a twin sister time. Eventually, the tour finished their who had worked at the Lake McDonald Lodge front desk for three years. Martha’s Having a rather blunt and sometimes caustic last year had overlapped my first, so I knew demeanor, it was a challenge for me to be the her. Murphy’s and Chris’s first exposure to Glacier Park had been due to visiting saccharine sweet personality required when keeping Martha at Lake McDonald in 1971. a restaurant full of touring “old” people happy while Again, I spent time with them, woke them they worried about missing their tour. on the beach, listened to their hiking stories, fed them in the Coffee Shop, and June 8 and 9 marked the 50th anniversary breakfast, the Coffee Shop emptied, and heard about Nixon from them. As they pre- of the Flood of ’64, in which the Flathead I had an opportunity to stop and chat pared to leave, they offered me a ride home River ran so high it took out the West with the two young men at that table. in a VW bug. With raised eyebrow, I point- Glacier bridge and forced McDonald ed out that I was female, and had packed to We have all had that conversation where Creek to run backward. Snyder Creek took live in the park for the whole summer. I was questions lead to more questions as we out a corner of the Lodge’s dining room not going to fit in a VW bug. find more and more common ground. in addition to other damage. I used to “Where are you from?” “Detroit.” “So imagine what that must have looked like as It takes 36 hours to drive between West are we!” “Where do you go to school?” I walked to work each day from Cobb Cot- Glacier and Detroit, Michigan. In just “Wayne State University.” “I just gradu- tage to the Coffee Shop in 1973 and 1974. over 36 hours from when they left, I ated from there!” (This was Murphy.) received a call in the Coffee Shop. Murphy August 8 is the 40th anniversary of the day was home, and wondering if he could pick “What are you majoring in?” “Elementa- I heard that President Richard Nixon had me up at the train station in Detroit. I ry Education.” “When and where are you announced that he would resign the next agreed. We married in 1976. student teaching?” “In Hazel Park, this day. I heard that news while standing on fall.” “What building, which teacher?” the steps of the Coffee Shop. The sum- Over the years, we have come home to “Mr. Crabtree.” “My classroom is two mer of 2014 is also the 40th anniversary of Glacier whenever possible. Our three chil- doors down from his!!!” (This was Tom.) when I met my husband, in, of course, the dren think of Sprague Creek Campground #8 as their summer address. We built our Coffee Shop. I spent some time with the two while retirement home outside of West Glacier. they were there. They camped on the In 1974, I was a hostess in the Coffee beach in front of the cabins. I woke Shop. I had been a salad and sandwich Forty-one years ago, I fell in love with them on my way to work so they prep cook the preceding year, so this was Glacier Park and Lake McDonald. Forty wouldn’t get caught. We had a drink my first experience working with the pub- years ago, I fell in love with a man who or two together in the hotel lounge. I lic. Having a rather blunt and sometimes feels the same love that I do for Glacier talked Tom, the vocal music teacher, caustic demeanor, it was a challenge for Park. During the centennial celebration, into singing with us on Sunday evening me to be the saccharine sweet personality Mark Hufstetler said that working at during the employee songfest in the required when keeping a restaurant full Lake McDonald Lodge changed his life. lobby. As they prepared to leave, I asked of touring “old” people happy while they It changed my life too. How could I have them to write. I love getting mail. worried about missing their tour on the been so fortunate? red bus. I did a lot of coffee and water pouring at breakfast time while assuring As I dashed past their table, I heard wisecracks the customers that their waitress/waiter directed at me. This gave rise to banter, a very would be with them soon and the “bus boy” would not leave without them. pleasant reprieve from being sweet for a few seconds. 18 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail Piegans in Portland (A Blackfeet Promotional Tour for Glacier in 1913)

By Tessie Bundick (Many Gla- cier 1972-80) Portland, Oregon, is a beautiful town and has often been called “the City of Roses”. In June of 1913, it was decided that a group of “Glacier Park Indians”, (the Blackfeet or Piegan) from the Browning, Montana reser- vation, adjacent to Glacier Na- tional Park, would travel west to Washington State to be a part of Portland’s famous Rose Festival. The use of these native Ameri- cans for publicity purposes was nothing new for the Great Northern Railway, the corpora- tion that was building chalets and hotels in the newly minted Glacier Park and was very enthusiastic about promotion. Other Blackfeet contingents had been sent to the eastern United States (New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C., among others) during the years since the official congressional des- ignation (1910) of this beautiful tourist destination in the north- ern Rockies. These trips were splendid advertising for the Great Northern as the Blackfeet always created a great sensation where ever they went. (photo courtesy of Ray Djuff collection) on this trek were familiar with what was expected of them. They were old hands at this sort of thing and knew just what to do. Really they were quite profes-

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 19 Piegans in Portland (continued) sional performers. They were paid $1.50 Piegan on the Montana plains to hunt per day, along with room and board and, buffalo. During their time in Spokane, they ap- of course, transportation, as well as care peared onstage before a Pathe movie The Blackfeet, in their native finery, if anyone became ill. In 1914, a group of called “Newspaper Men in the Park”. It were a huge hit, enchanting a 1,000 the Blackfeet lobbied for a raise to $3.00 was shown before a large and apprecia- guests, with their drums and the per day for the eastern trips, plus grocer- tive audience. Long Time Sleep stood women’s chanting. They danced for ies for their families that were left behind. on the side of the stage in a red spotlight “King Rex” of the Rose Festival and As Three Bears noted in a letter the Louis and delivered a lecture as the film rolled. posed as an escort for Miss Spokane (in Hill, the executive chairman of the Great Dawn Mist made another speech to a her Indian costume). Long Time Sleep Northern board of directors, “They are sure most appreciative crowd. Some of the made a speech in Piegan. They pleased to run out of grub before we return.” current publicity called her “the most the many reporters at the Portland Press beautiful Indian maiden in the world”. Traveling by train, the party was accompa- Club and Dawn Mist made a beautiful nied by J.A. Shoemaker, special representa- oration that thrilled all present. Chief Three Bears garnered his own tive for Louis Hill, and Charles Griffin. attention by claiming that his father During the week, they received enthu- Included in the Native American roster was the Piegan who guided the Lewis siastic, warm applause as they rode in were Lazy Boy, John Kicking Woman, and Clark expedition through the pass an automobile parade. They also gave a Long Time Sleep, Calling Dawn Woman in the Rockies where the city of Helena performance for the wives and children , Mrs. Dog Ears, Stabs by Mistake, Medi- is now located. He even said that he of the reporters of the Press Club. They cine Owl, Mrs. Medicine Owl, Judge Wolf remembered meeting Sacajawea! After were given dinners and were present at Plume, Mrs. Judge Wolf Plume, James this trip through Oregon and Washington moving picture shows where they saw White Grass, Fred Big Top, John Ground was completed, Shoemaker reported, “I themselves on film (taken earlier in the and daughter, Three Bears and Mrs. Three do think we have covered the west now, week). Bears, plus one or two others. Also along from a publicity standpoint, as our big field is the south and east until 1915.” was Miss Maggie Champine, a woman After a wonderful reception, the Great from Birch Creek with native blood who Northern party traveled to the Spokane The Blackfeet, shedding their acquired represented an “Indian Princess”. She had Pow Wow, staying at the beautiful new modern ways for these promotional been a crowd favorite during a 1912 tour of Davenport Hotel. Their teepees were jaunts, donned what colorful clothing the east and was known as “Dawn Mist”. raised, and Mr. Davenport, himself, put from the “old days” that they owned, up two large signs which read, “Dav- The group arrived in Portland on Sun- and used as many props as they had on enport Hotel’s First Guests, the Glacier day, June 8th. On the morning of the 9th, hand. Trying to make a living in the National Park Indians”. The Blackfeet pitched teepees on the roof of the Mult- white man’s world, they slipped back were led through the main dining room, nomah Hotel. This inn was named after into a mythic past to be what the Great when coming from their meals, and the local Multnomah tribe, great warriors, Northern expected and the stereotypes gave a cabaret performance each time. who used to come into the country of the that their adoring audiences wanted.

The Blackfeet, shedding their acquired modern ways for these promotional jaunts, donned what colorful clothing from the “old days”.

(photos courtesy of the Ray Djuff collection (F.J. Haynes photo); (photos courtesy of the Ray Djuff collection (Fred Kiser photo); Minnesota Historical Society, Great Three Bears, Lazy Boy, and Fred Big Top in ceremonial dress. Northern Railway collection)

20 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail A Summer with Ian Tippet By James Reierson (Many Glacier overseas in the Philippines about his was people oriented, professional 1977) call and the fact he had “a wonderful at all times, and had the ability and British accent” and was so nice on charisma (Just like the submarine I grew up in Spokane, Washington, the lengthy call he had with her. For commanders I had worked for) to and prior to 1977 had only been in someone who hired hundreds of em- get people to work hard and un- Glacier Park one time in 1960. My ployees each year, for him to take the derstand the importance of being mother had taken me and my two time to call my mother showed how responsible. Mr. Tippet was the brothers on the Great Northern train concerned he was in filling positions kind of boss you respected, because to East Glacier, where we stayed with just the right applicant. he made you understand it was a at Glacier Park Lodge. In 1960, privilege to be working in this great the eastbound Empire Builder left I hit the road in a 1938 Buick I had hotel to host the guests, and ensure Spokane in the morning which gave purchased in Portland, Oregon, and they had a good time while visit- riders the spectacular vista ride with had stored for years in Spokane. It ing Glacier Park. Working at Many dome cars. Mom had been with was early May of 1977 when I pulled Glacier Hotel was not just a job, but United Airlines as a stewardess dur- in to East Glacier, and parked next a learning experience that gave me a ing World War II after graduating to an historic red bus that had also greater appreciation of why setting from Sacred Heart School of Nurs- been built in the 1930’s. After a aside National Parks to preserve the ing in Spokane in the late 1930’s. great evening meal, two other new land for people to visit and enjoy is Her Dad was a Union Pacific pas- employees and I followed Mr. Tip- so important. Although he told me senger train conductor, so mom and pet up the winding road to Many I could address him as ‘Ian,’ I found her sisters were able to travel around Glacier. He was driving a huge it hard to do. He was always dressed the country on his rail pass. She white Lincoln Continental at a very impeccably, getting his clothes from loved to travel and wanted her sons fast clip! There was still a lot of a British clothing store, and telling to see new places and meet different snow on the ground. Since I was to me how important it was to make people. Dad was a busy doctor, de- be working with Mr. Tippet he felt a good appearance. He was formal livering over 6,000 babies during his the front desk manager and I were and had a dry sense of humor, and career, and had little time to travel. “management” and should room everyone seemed more comfortable together in the hotel rather than in I joined the U.S. Navy in 1968, serv- addressing him as Mr. Tippet. the men’s dormitory. Hervey Smith ing as a radioman in the elite subma- had worked summers at Many He had been trained as a chef years rine service, known as the ‘silent ser- Glacier before and was a real profes- before and personally oversaw the vice.’ When I decided to get out and sional, having experience in a large daily menus and ensured that the complete college in early 1977, my chain of hotels. He was indicative of food preparation was first rate and mother suggested I apply to work the large number of employees that service as fine as in any fine restau- in Glacier Park the summer before wanted to come back to that won- rant. One time, one of the wait- classes started at the University of derful large hotel with Mr. Tippet at ers set up a container on a table Montana in Missoula. I did apply, the helm. They liked being able to outside the main hotel restaurant and Mr. Tippet called my mother hike, work with good people, and and marked it for “tips.” Within from his ‘winter’ Arizona office to in- enjoy this pristine National Park. ten minutes the roving Mr. Tippet quire if I could start in early May as discovered it, removed it, and rep- his secretary at Many Glacier Hotel. Mr. Tippet was rarely found sit- rimanded the employee, remarking He told her he was impressed with ting in the manager’s office, as he “I’ve never seen such an outlandish my military service record and the was a hands-on person, and was display!” When employees had to be fact that I had been able to obtain an always roaming the huge hotel to terminated (and this was rare), Mr. Associate Degree while in the Navy. ensure the work was being done, Tippet would remark, “Yes, I’ve sent Mom wrote to me shortly before I and coordinate with the owner at him down the road.” left my last submarine that was based that time, Mr. Don Hummel. He

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 21 Summer with Ian (continued) Mr. Tippet was an accomplished bartender and server, but on Thurs- years, including me. He made me musician and responsible for putting day nights, I’d buy a couple of Coors want to do more and help people. on great musicals each year at Many and relax to hear the volunteer show He changed my outlook on life, and Glacier. A lot of the employees were that guests got to attend for free. I I’d like to think I am a better person. music majors and volunteered many got to have a much greater apprecia- I have made it back to Glacier Park hours to make these shows a success. tion for music, largely based on this as often as I could over the years, al- He also hosted a “Thursday Night summer of 1977 at Many Glacier though as a career prosecuting attor- Serenade” which I tried to not miss Hotel. ney, my court schedules often make from my perch at the rail of the 4th vacation time hard to get. I was only Mr. Tippet has had an incredible floor, above the main lobby. I also able to work one short summer at influence on thousands of seasonal volunteered to help as a part-time Many Glacier Hotel, but it was the employees over the past 50 plus best job I have ever had. Making Music (continued from page 17) of those themes. I fondly remember the 2009 to attend a performance of one of summer to entertain the guests in the night Nikki Johnson (from the “Decades” my original symphony works in Carnegie great lodges of Glacier National Park. cabaret at Many Glacier in 1994) came to Hall in New York. You may have heard It’s funny how it seems that you’d bet- sing jazz standards with me in the lobby. the saying, “How do you get to Carn- ter be careful what you ask for in life, And once again I staged “Late Nate ‘Live’ egie Hall?” (The fundamental answer is: because you just might get it! Long ago, from Glacier Park” right there in the “practice.”) My own personal answer is: during my first summer playing music lobby at Lake McDonald, featuring spe- “You go through Glacier Park first.” in Glacier Park in 1990, I remember cial musical guests “John Denver,” “Billy In the summer of 2010, the Glacier saying to myself, “This is something I Joel” and even “Andrew Lloyd Weber!” It Symphony in Kalispell performed could surely do for the rest of my life.” was a magical summer making music on another one of my original “Glacier And now all these years later, in 2014, the shores of Lake McDonald. works” for orchestra at the Glacier Park I am still doing it! It is something that I Since 2002, I have been working as the Centennial concert. In 2013, Glacier truly love to do. Entertainment Director at Glacier Park Park Lodge celebrated its centennial. It is such a joy to entertain the wonder- Lodge. During that time, endless musical There was an employee reunion with ful guests in the great lodges of Glacier activities and productions have been pre- three continuous days of music, memo- Park. The incredible people and musi- sented for the guests’ enjoyment. Music ries and magic in the great lobby. This cians I have met and performed with directors and employees from the past summer of 2014 is Lake McDonald’s over the years have all been truly amaz- have come to perform, including one centennial. ing. I have truly been blessed to have year when Roger Stephens visited and we During the fall, winter, and spring received this incredible opportunity, performed together in the lobby. (Roger seasons, I return to my home in New and I hope that the music that I have was the musical director for many years Orleans to work as a music teacher. I provided over the years has blessed those in the 1960s and ‘70s with Mr. Tippet have been teaching full-time at the New who have been able to hear it. at Many Glacier.) I fondly remember Orleans Center for Creative Arts since the few times when Mr. Tippet himself Thank you so very much, Mr. Tippet, 1996. I also teach music composition performed on the piano for the guests. for the opportunity you first gave me 24 at the University of New Orleans, and We have had classical, jazz, Broadway, years ago in that summer of 1990. And I have taught various music courses at folk, pop, multi-media presentations, thank you, Mr. Cadrette, for the oppor- Loyola University, Delgado Community drama, Indian dancing, ‘late-night’ vari- tunity to return again in 2014. Glacier College and Louisiana State University. ety shows, and an almost endless array of Park changed my life, just as it surely has New Orleans is a great city of music with performances through the years, right in changed the lives of all who have visited. many diverse influences. Working with the lobby of Glacier Park Lodge. And, Mr. Tippet, you were so right when all the talented music students in the you said it would be the best summer of The last several years have been amazing. New Orleans area all winter truly pre- my life – but I had no idea that the sum- I left Glacier for a week in the summer of pares me to come up to Montana each mer would be at least 24 years long!

22 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail (Inside Out continued from page 4) happy trails. Glacier Park will never be the Prince of Wales Hotel and our com- grow through music (myself included!) same without you, Mr. Tippet, but your mitment to these treasured places will throughout a quick summertime here. We legacy will surely endure forever.” continue in all aspects of the operation hope to bring violinist Dan Robbins back of our company.” for his tenth summer in 2015. We are also GPI in West Glacier hoping to restore the Monday night Hoots Xanterra Builds Facilities In early July, Glacier Park, Inc. com- as Sundays have been a difficult time slot Xanterra Parks and Recreation, Glacier’s pleted the purchase of the West Glacier for us. Mercantile Company from the Lun- new concessioner, is developing facili- ties in Columbia Falls to support its “Overall, the goal is music as a major dgren family, complementing GPI’s operations. Administrative offices, a touchstone of any guest’s experience here, existing operations in and around warehouse, and a laundry facility are be- any day of the week. I am working and Glacier National Park. Included in ing installed in preexisting buildings on communicating to make sure this is a pri- the sale are approximately 200 acres Highway 2. Xanterra’s staff will move ority for Xanterra in the future. of land in West Glacier and businesses to the new facility from its temporary “In conjunction with the Many Glacier which include the West Glacier Motel offices after this summer. Centennial next summer, I am also work- & Cabins, the West Glacier Restaurant Meanwhile, planning is underway for a ing on a documentary about the musical & Bar, the West Glacier Mercantile, the new 40,000 square foot transportation tradition. I’m seeking help in collecting West Glacier Gift Shop and other guest facility. It will provide a home base, any archival material that you have to services. Additionally, the sale includes maintenance, and winter storage for offer. All material will be returned and 3.8 acres of inholding within Glacier Glacier’s historic red bus fleet. The bus- credited to the owner.” National Park in Apgar, the Apgar Village es were stored last winter at the Kalispell 2015 Many Glacier Reunion Lodge, the Cedar Tree Gift Shop, and staff airport, and will be in temporary storage Many Glacier Hotel will celebrate its housing units in Apgar and West Glacier. again this winter pending completion of centennial in 2015. Plans are in place for the new garage. “We are very excited about this opportu- an alumni reunion from Friday, July 31 nity to offer our guests a wider range of Many Glacier Reflections through Sunday, August 2. Corie Jones accommodation and recreation options Emily Hackethorn of the Glacier Park (MGH ‘77-’80) is generously chairing the and to extend our position as the Gateway Boat Company at Many Glacier sends reunion committee. Please contact Corie to Glacier,” said Ron Cadrette, GPI’s Vice these reflections: “The summer days at [email protected], or by mail at 5325 President and General Manager. “We have are flying by, and the nights are turning Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA 98512, great respect for what the Lundgren family chilly. Some days feel like a forecast for or by phone at 360-753-9612, to register has built in West Glacier. We will strive as a the Fall. Glacier Park marked its busiest for the reunion. company to preserve and honor what they July to date, with a record number of Reunion participants must make individual have created including their reputation for visitors counted at the entrance gates. offering great hospitality to guests and an rooming reservations. For rooms at Many engaging work environment for staff.” “The boats have been running smoothly, Glacier or Swiftcurrent, please call Xan- with plenty of extra runs throughout terra reservations at 855-733-4522. Other All 151 employees in the West Glacier and the day. We are planning to restore the rooming alternatives include St. Mary Apgar businesses involved in the purchase famous “Joy” rowboat in time for next Lodge (406-732-4431), Johnson’s of St. were hired on by GPI as part of the transi- summer’s Centennial! I love hearing Mary (406-732-4207), and Thronson’s of tion. GPI plans to operate the businesses Joy Paulson stories from visitors every Babb (406-732-5530). in West Glacier and Apgar with minimal summer. Next summer, we’ll be wel- Principal events at the reunion will include changes for the 2014 season. “This addi- coming another boat to our fleet at Two a Centennial Hootenanny on Friday tion perfectly complements our existing Medicine. operations in and around Glacier National evening (hosted by Tessie Bundick) and a Park,” said Cindy Ognjanov, President of “The transition to Xanterra at Many Centennial Serenade on Sunday evening GPI. “The Lundgren family has a remark- Glacier has been smooth, as many key (hosted by Carol Repulski Dahle). A able history in West Glacier and we look employees, especially location manager community dinner will be held on Satur- forward to carrying on their traditions in Helen Roberts, have been here to set day evening in the pavilion at Johnson’s this historic town. GPI has long served as the tone. Our efforts to continue the Restaurant at St. Mary. The reunion also a steward for the preservation of histori- Hootenanny have been quite success- will include history programs developed cal properties including the 101-year-old ful. We’ve had many new performers in conjunction with the Park Service and Glacier Park Lodge and the 87-year-old this year. It is so exciting to see people Xanterra.

The Inside Trail ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ 23 CENTENNIAL2014 GLACIER CUP CHAMPIONS CELEBRATING GLACIER’S HUNDREDTH

The 2014 Glacier Park Lodge soccer team, winners of the interlodge soccer championship, with lodge manager Kathy Eiland. Back row: Kamil (Czech Republic), Miro (Bulgaria), Zack (New York), Wojciech (Czech Republic), Sefa (Turkey), Alan (North Carolina), Joshua (Spain), Kimroy (Jamica), Liz (Washington State). Front row: Dejan (Macedonia), Kathy (Alabama), Kyle (Montana). Not pictured: Lyuben (Bulgaria). JOIN THE GLACIER PARK FOUNDATION All friends of Glacier Park are invited to join the Glacier Park Foundation. Membership includes a subscription to The Inside Trail and the right to vote for directors. Please download a membership form from our Web Site (www.glacier- parkfoundation.org) or send your name, address, phone number, and park experience to Glacier Park Foundation, Box 15641, Minneapolis, MN 55415. An annual membership in the Foundation costs $10. A “Friend of the Park” membership costs $25 annually, cumulat- ing to a Lifetime membership in five installments. A Lifetime membership paid in one installment costs $100. The Glacier Park Foundation is a § 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent per- mitted by law. (Panorama by Christine Baker)

24 ☐ Summer 2014 ☐ The Inside Trail