The Old Faithful Inn- Yellowstone National Park
By: Katelyn Parker/ Photos Provided By: Yellowstone National Park
As far as the Yellowstone experience is concerned, a stay at Old Faithful Inn, in the heart of the park, is an experience all itself. The lodge is one of the largest log hotels and one of the only original national park lodges that is still standing. Visitors are greeted with rustic design and a massive stone fireplace. The décor exudes western living and reflects the natural world in which it stands. The rustic log interior features a lot of burl and western décor, introducing travelers into the whimsy that is the west.
The History of Old Faithful Inn
Construction began on Old Faithful Inn in 1903 and the location was chosen so visitors could watch the iconic geyser, Old Faithful, from the lodge porch. Construction in that part of the country was not easy and getting tools and supplies made the process arduous. The crew worked through the harsh Wyoming winter to expedite the process and most of the wood used in the construction was sourced from the park where they established a temporary sawmill so they could avoid having to ship in some of the building materials. The architect behind this project was Robert Reamer, who was a 29-year-old architect with the Yellowstone Park Company. He completed his project in 1904 and Old Faithful Inn opened its doors to travelers that spring, boasting the amenities of electricity and steam heat. In years to follow, the lodge received several phases of extensions, providing more accommodations for the ever-growing tourist population.
Preservation
Through the years, the lodge has been protected and preserved to try to sustain its original majestic legacy. The décor, fixtures and features remain the vision of what its creators worked so hard to bring to life and the lodge attracts visitors from all around the world. Great measures are taken to ensure the longevity of a beloved landmark that holds so much history. For instance, in the winter, the heavy snowstorms cause a great threat to the structural integrity of the historic building so certain individuals set out in the midst of winter to relieve the structure of the heave snowpack that forms on its roof. For many, the preservation of the lodge is more than sustaining a hotel, it is sustaining a piece of history that made way for many other ventures like it to thrive and to pay tribute to our natural spaces.
Book Your Stay
Still in operation today, visitors to Yellowstone National Park can book their stay in the historic Old Faithful Inn. The lodge has more than 300 rooms available, and guests can choose anything from a standard room to a suite with Geyser Basin views. In the attempt to remain rustic and provide their guests with a natural experience, there is not TV, air conditioning or radios in the rooms. Guests staying at the Old Faithful Inn are presented with the exceptional experience of forgetting the busy metropolis and submersing themselves into something that once was and the bliss of a quiet, natural existence.
So, book your stay and share your Yellowstone adventures with us @LiveWyldMag and use #LiveWYld. Happy exploring!
