The Swiss-style 'Gem of the West' on Swiftcurrent Lake

The Many Glacier Hotel, built in 1914 and finished in just one year on July 4, 1915, stands as a National Historic Landmark and a member of Historic Hotels of America. It was built by the Great Northern Railway as part of an effort by Louis W. Hill, president of the railway, to establish Glacier National Park as a destination resort. Hill chose a Swiss chalet style to promote the area as the 'American Alps', naming the Many Glacier Hotel the 'Gem of the West'.

The building is designed as a series of chalets, up to four stories tall, and stretches for a substantial distance along the lakeshore. The Swiss alpine theme is featured on both the outside and inside. The foundation is made of stone with a wood superstructure, finished with brown-painted wood siding and Swiss jigsawed patterns on the window framing and balconies. Inside, the four-story lobby is surrounded by balconies with railings patterned after Swiss designs.

Today, the hotel is managed by Xanterra and is open from early June to mid-September. It features the Ptarmigan Dining room, the Swiss Room Lounge, the Interlaken Lounge, and Heidi's Snack Shop. Located on the east shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, the hotel serves as a starting point for several hikes, including those to Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, and Ptarmigan Falls.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons