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Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful Inn / Hotel

Old Faithful Inn

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Built during the winter of 1903-04, the Old Faithful Inn was designed by Robert C. Reamer, who wanted the asymmetry of the building to reflect the chaos of nature. The lobby of the hotel features a 65-foot ceiling, a massive rhyolite fireplace, and railings made of contorted lodgepole pine. Wings were added to the hotel in 1915 and 1927, and today there are 327 rooms available to guests in this National Historic Landmark.

The spectacular Old Faithful Inn is within short viewing distance of Old Faithful Geyser, the most famous geyser in the United States. Built at the turn of the of the century, the Inn is a National Historic Landmark and is one of the few remaining log hotels in the United States. Its unique and rustice design has made the Old Faithful Inn a significant part of the history of Yellowstone National Park, and a favorite attraction for visitors to the park.

The Northern Pacific Railroad financed the original construction of Old Faithful Inn at a cost of around $140k with furnishing adding an additional $25k to the project. The Department of the Interior allowed building materials to be gathered within Yellowstone National Park itself. Architect Robert C. Reamer designed the building to blend in with the natural environment of Yellowstone, and to provide a "western experience" for early Yellowstone visitors. The Inn was constructed in three phases. In 1903, the original section (now called the Old House) with dining room, kitchen wings, and the two original and smaller guest-room wings were built. During 1913-14, a larger east wing was built, followed by the 1927 west wing.

Features of Old Faithful Inn include:

  • faces north, overlooking the Old Faithful Geyser Basin
  • nearly 700 feet in length
  • seven stories high, with a lobby that climbs ninety-two feet from the floor
  • exposed log and wood-framing structure
  • original foundation is stone, or concrete with a stone veneer
  • first floor structure consists of load-bearing log walls, and log framing
  • upper stories are of milled lumber and log framing, sheathed with yard-long shingles on the exterior
  • central, massive gable roof is the dominant architectural feature, making up six of the seven stories
  • three stories of dormers and windows on the gable ends provide natural light to the lobby and guest rooms
  • widow's walk with five flagstaffs surrounds the top of the roof, which had spotlights to light Old Faithful geyser at night - removed in 1948
  • original porte-cochere was recessed under the large gable roof of this central portion, along with a second-story porch directly above it, until the porte-cochere was extended out in front of the building in 1927
  • a portion on the ground floor was enclosed in 1927, and became part of the lobby, with the second-story porch extended for better viewing of Old Faithful.
  • windows in the Old House are usually single and paired casements with various multi-light patterns of diamonds, circles, and rectangles
  • north door constructed of large planks with wrought iron hinges and a lock forged on-site by a blacksmith
  • lobby has a "Crow's Nest" - a separate small landing near the roof where musicians played for the enjoyment of guests far below during the Inn's early days
  • gnarled log brackets are attached to the log columns of the framing adding rustic decoration
  • similar rustic log work is used for balcony railings, balustrades along staircases, and brackets under the eaves
  • stairs are made from half-logs
  • logs of the interior spaces originally had bark on them but now are peeled
  • massive stone fireplace in lobby, sixteen feet square at its base
  • a large-scale wrought-iron and brass clock, designed by Reamer, is featured on the exposed stone masonry chimney
  • original rustic hickory chairs, still in the dining room, came from the Old Hickory Furniture Company
  • guest wings and hallways retain considerable original character - some with original plumbing fixtures: clawfoot bathtubs, wood water closets, and marble sink tops
  • Old House original Mission furniture add to the building's integrity, including: loose-cushioned setees, rockers, arm chairs, wing-back chairs, octagonal base tables with leather tops and brass studded trim, writing desks and chairs
  • original lighting fixtures still exist, such as: copper and iron chandeliers in the lobby and dining room; and wood candelabra of rustic design serving as the capitals of the log columns supporting the balconies

The building survived an earthquake in 1959, but the the fireplace in the dining room dining room collapsed. The earthquake also caused damage to the lobby chimney.

From 1991-1993, A&E Architects was involved in a comprehensive renovation of the guest roomsat Old Faithful Inn. A total of 83 rooms were renovated in the east wing, and 57 rooms were renovated in the west wing. The construction took place over two consecutive winters to allow guest use of the facility during the summer tourist season. The guest wings were renovated to be compatible with the original design, with some modifications to provide for modern convenience.

Old Faithful Inn is closed during the winter, but remains open the rest of the year. However, the newly built Old Faithful Winter Lodge provides lodging for winter guests, and of course, Old Faithful geyser may be enjoyed year-round!

Details:
Open every summer season.
Reserve through Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Call: 307-344-7311 | Toll Free: 866-GEYSERLAND (439-7375) | TDD: 307-344-5395.

Yellowstone National Park, WY Weather

Other pages you might find helpful:


Montana Bed and Breakfast Page
Bed & breakfast links for Bozeman Montana.