The Skyland Camp-Bowman Lake Ranger Station in Glacier National Park was originally built as the Culver Boys' Military Academy. The main building, known variously as the Skyland Camp Messhall, Culver Boys' Military Academy Messhall and Skyline Chalet, was built in 1920 and is a good example of National Park Service Rustic architecture.[2] The main cabin, known as "Rainbow Lodge" was built by the boys of the academy in 1920 from red cedar logs, and is more elaborate and carefully detailed than typical ranger stations of this period. The interior is dominated by a stone fireplace.[3]
Skyland Camp--Bowman Lake Ranger Station | |
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   | |
| Nearest city | West Glacier, Montana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°49′50.2″N 114°12′8″W / 48.830611°N 114.20222°W |
| Built | 1920 |
| MPS | Glacier National Park MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000365 |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 1986[1] |
The camp was originally owned by the Culver Military Academy of Culver, Indiana, which operated the camp as a concession within the park, on the shore of Bowman Lake. It operated for a few seasons, but poor management caused the National Park Service to terminate the camp's contract. With the camp falling into disrepair, the Park Service demolished all buildings except the Rainbow Lodge in 1940, rehabilitating the lodge for use as a ranger station. Two boathouses are included in the listed area, and many furnishings in the ranger station are contributing features.[3]
See also
edit- Belly River Ranger Station Historic District
- Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District
- East Glacier Ranger Station Historic District
- Kintla Lake Ranger Station
- Kishenehn Ranger Station Historic District
- Logging Creek Ranger Station Historic District
- Nyack Ranger Station Historic District
- Polebridge Ranger Station Historic District
- Saint Mary Ranger Station
- Sherburne Ranger Station Historic District
- Swiftcurrent Ranger Station Historic District
- Upper Lake McDonald Ranger Station Historic District
- Walton Ranger Station Historic District
- Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline
References
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ "Skyland Camp Bowman Lake Ranger Station". List of Classified Structures. National Park Service. November 13, 2008.
- ^ a b Historical Research Associates (June 1984). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Skyland Camp-Bowman Lake Ranger Station (pdf). National Park Service.