Yakima Park Stockade Group
Encyclopedia
Yakima Park Stockade Group, also known as North and South Blockhouses, Museum, and Stockade at Sunrise, is a building complex consisting of four log buildings in Mount Rainier National Park
that is architecturally significant on its own. The first of the blockhouses and the stockade were built in 1930, while the second blockhouse followed in 1943. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1987. It is in turn part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District
, which encompasses the entire park and which recognizes the park's inventory of Park Service-designed rustic architecture.
of the National Park Service
. The design concept originated with Davidson, who was inspired by early structures erected by settlers against the possibility of Indian raids. Stone came from a rockslide about a mile away, and the white pine for framing and siding came from the area of the White River, about twelve miles from Yakima Park. Davidson had mixed feelings about the development, commenting that the location was less attractive than it had been before it was developed, but was still far superior to other developed areas of the park that had grown with no plan or regulation.
through large south-facing windows. The building was previously known as the "campers' shelter" and the Museum. The visitor center is built of logs, with an overhanging second story, but with less of an overhang than the blockhouses. All of the structures have hipped roofs clad with cedar shingles.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a United States National Park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state. It was one of the US's earliest National Parks, having been established on March 2, 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States. The park contains...
that is architecturally significant on its own. The first of the blockhouses and the stockade were built in 1930, while the second blockhouse followed in 1943. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1987. It is in turn part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, which encompasses the entire park and which recognizes the park's inventory of Park Service-designed rustic architecture.
Design and construction
The stockade complex was designed by architect A. Paul Brown and landscape architect Ernest A. DavidsonErnest A. Davidson
Ernest A. Davidson was an American architect.Among his works are two National Park Service building complexes at Mt. Rainier National Park:*Longmire Buildings, which was designated to be a National Historic Landmark, and...
of the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. The design concept originated with Davidson, who was inspired by early structures erected by settlers against the possibility of Indian raids. Stone came from a rockslide about a mile away, and the white pine for framing and siding came from the area of the White River, about twelve miles from Yakima Park. Davidson had mixed feelings about the development, commenting that the location was less attractive than it had been before it was developed, but was still far superior to other developed areas of the park that had grown with no plan or regulation.
Description
The south blockhouse was built first, in 1930. While it appears to be constructed of logs, it is a wood-frame structure with log siding. The square two-story building has a battered stone foundation wall extending to sill level, which is overhung by the second floor. The south blockhouse housed administrative and interpretation services for the Yakima Park area. The south blockhouse initially contained two administrative offices on the first floor, as well as a kitchen, dining room and living room for staff. The upper level included six bedrooms and two bathrooms. The Stockade is a vertical log fence built in the 1930s that hid a mess hall, since demolished, and which now conceals a split-face concrete block water treatment building built in 1985. Work on the visitor center and the north blockhouse began in 1939, and was completed in 1943, delayed by funding problems. The north blockhouse resembles the south blockhouse, with greater attention to stonework. The north blockhouse houses seasonal park employees. The visitor center is set between and behind the blockhouses, with a view of Mount RainierMount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
through large south-facing windows. The building was previously known as the "campers' shelter" and the Museum. The visitor center is built of logs, with an overhanging second story, but with less of an overhang than the blockhouses. All of the structures have hipped roofs clad with cedar shingles.
Sources
- Filley, Bette (1996). The Big Fact Book About Mount Rainier, Dunamis House, ISBN 1880405067.