Video
Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Chalets
Descriptive Transcript
Title card: “Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Chalets”
Title card: “This compilation of film clips from the 1930s-1940s show scenes from Glacier’s historic Going-to-the-Sun Chalets.”
Title card: “The Going-to-the-Sun Chalets were built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railway as part of a network of hotels, chalets, and tent camps.”
Animation on a black-and-white map of Glacier National Park traces a line across St. Mary Lake in the eastern half of the park to the Going to the Sun Chalets at the far end of the lake.
Title card: “These Swiss-style chalets sat high above the lake on the rocky promontory called Sun Point.”
Faded color footage of a large complex of chalet buildings on a high rocky outcropping of a lake.
Title card: “Before the construction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, visitors arrived at the chalet by boat or horse.”
Black and white footage. A tour boat sets off from the dock of a lake.
A wider view of the lake, framed by mountains culminating in a u-shaped valley. Tree branches wave and whitecaps form on the lake.
On board the boat, passengers dressed in long coats and stylish hats sit on benches.
The white tour boat flies an American flag and seats at least 30 people.
The boat glides into view of the chalet complex, where several distinct lodge buildings sit. The buildings have between 2-4 floors with log, wood, and stone construction.
Signpost that reads, “Going to the Sun Chalets” with an arrow.
View of the mountain and lake scenery extending beyond the chalets.
Guests gather on the chalet’s wooden balconies to look out at the lake.
A woman in a dress and cap feeds a chipmunk from her hand in front of a cabin.
Two women on the balcony dressed in Swiss maid-style uniforms look out at the mountains and then at the camera, smiling.
Color footage of women exiting a stone-fronted building below the main lodge. A small group of men waiting for them lounge outside the building.
Title card: “The completion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in 1932, the rise of auto travel, and cheaper lodging options led to the decline of the Going-to-the-Sun Chalets.”
Color footage of the chalet complex, empty but for a couple of people. There is no flag on the flagpole. A man looks out over the balcony.
Title card: “The chalets closed during World War II and fell into disrepair. They were torn down in 1948.”
Title card: “You can still visit the site of the chalets at Sun Point. As you stand there, imagine sitting on the balcony, sharing tales of the day’s trail ride with new friends as you await a hearty dinner in the dining room.”
Color footage of a man and woman sitting on the railing of the balcony, smiling and pointing at the scenery.
Description
The Going-to-the-Sun Chalets were built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railway as part of a network of hotels, chalets and tent camps designed for passengers arriving by train. These Swiss-style chalets sat high above St. Mary Lake and were gone by the late 1940s.
Duration
3 minutes, 18 seconds
Credit
NPS
Copyright and Usage Info