The Great Room
The Great Room (lobby) of the Paradise Inn features vaulted ceilings with open beam log rafters.
(For privacy I have grayed out the faces of other guests.)
The intricate exposed Alaska Cedar* log rafters are the main architectural feature of the Great Room.
*The logs are not from Alaska, rather that is the name of the cedar species (Cupressus nootkatensis, Alaska Cedar.) The logs came from local fire-damaged timber that was logged a few miles away from the Inn site. The fire occurred 30 years prior to cutting the timber for the logs, so the log colors reflect that of naturally weathered cedar. They have a slight silver tint when seen in natural sunlight (first picture above,) and a warm yellowish glow when illuminated by the yellow parchment shaded lamps at night (second picture above.)
Additional beams, rafters, cables, and metal bracing plates were added to the Inn's interior over the years when it was discovered that the snow loads were greater than anticipated and causing damage.
A large rock fireplace is found at each end of the Great Room.
On the back side of the Great Room (left side of this photo) what used to be a porch has been enclosed and is now a cafe and gift shop. Neither addition is historic, however some of the original patio doors still remain between the gift shop and the Great Room, serving as a divider wall.
A few pieces of large hand-crafted furniture made from logs in a German Gothic style are featured in the great room. Julie is seated in a oversize "throne" chair at a massive wood table.
The artistic "log" furniture at the Inn is said to have been crafted by German furniture maker "Hans Fraehnke". Little is known about him that I can find. Most of the other furniture in the Great Room and dining Room are historic, but were factory manufactured items.
Log Piano in the Great Room.
Grandfather clock in a rustic log cabinet.
A mezzanine was added in 1925 and circles the Great Room.
Tables line the perimeter of the mezzanine.
Julie standing on the mezzanine.
The original lamps in the Great Room were Japanese lanterns. In the early years they were replaced with parchment lamp shades. Each shade features a local native plant hand-painted on it.
Julie seated at one of the mezzanine level tables. Generally the mezzanine level is more quiet than the Great Room seating below. A nice place to enjoy hot chocolate on cold mountain evenings.
The dormer windows above the Great Room allow sunlight to enter.
Index: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
Reference: Architecture in the Parks, Paradise Inn. by L.S. Harrison. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/harrison/harrison11.htm
Reference: Architecture in the Parks, Paradise Inn. by L.S. Harrison. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/harrison/harrison11.htm
