What was the lodge like at that time?
I am one of these people that think the lodge is not something to be preserved (10). It has served its purpose, and of course it was only open in the summer time because in the winter it would be almost impossible to keep open. It was an expensive operation because of the snow conditions and getting the place open every year was work. I think a better place for a lodge is down off the rim someplace where you don’t get quite the deep snow and don’t have to battle the elements like you do up on top. Of course, you have they view up there but then I never felt it was a real architectural gem or that kind of thing. Like I said, it has served its purpose. I think there are better ways meeting the needs of visitors.
Did you know that Will Steel wanted to build a larger lodge up by Wineglass?
No, I did not know that. They came up with all kinds of ideas. There was one proposal to build a tramway from the rim over to Wizard Island and back. That was just talk, I don’t think they were ever serious- but there were proposals.
In the sixties they talked about building a tunnel. (11)
I guess I am one who thinks that Mother Nature did a pretty good job and will stick with that. Don’t try to come in with any more man-made facilities then we need. There have been two or three different roads to the rim and of course you are going to have people say that you have to have roads in this day and age. But the roads shouldn’t dominate the scene. Of course, the rim around the crater is the real attraction.
