OLYMPIC Lake Crescent Lodge Historic Structures Report

INTRODUCTION

This Historic Structures Report will be the basis for preparation of construction documents and compliance requirements for the rehabilitation of the Lake Crescent Lodge Facility. Since the National Park Service believes that the facility qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places, special consideration must be given in the early planning stages of any proposed work at the site in order to protect historically significant elements there. This report defines these elements and provides recommendations for their preservation. The report outlines building and site deficiencies that must be addressed as part of the total rehabilitation project and provides recommendations for correcting these deficiencies. Also, the report and accompanying drawings and notes have been prepared to aid professionals involved in immediate and future planning at the facility and to serve as record documentation of the site.

This report was prepared by the Cultural Resources Division, Pacific Northwest Region (PNRO), National Park Service with information provided by Olympic National Park staff, the Denver Service Center (DSC) of the National Park Service, National Park Concessions, Incorporated (current concessions contract holder at the Lake Crescent site), and other planning personnel from the Pacific Northwest Region of the National Park Service.

The funding for the construction phase of the project was originally part of the FY'85 Line Item Construction Program of the Park Service. It was subsequently moved to the newly-created Visitor Facilities Fund (VFF) and rescheduled for fiscal year 1984. In order to meet the accelerated schedule that resulted from this funding change, the responsibility for completing this report was transferred from DSC to the Cultural Resources Division, PNRO. Considerable information accumulated by DSC prior to the transfer has been incorporated in the report.

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

—List of Classified Structures: Lake Crescent Lodge (Singer's Tavern) LCS#09005
Management Category B (should be preserved)
Proposed Use: Lodging

—Planning documents proposing treatment and use of the structure; cooperative agreements; and other documents bearing on the proposed management, furnishing, and use of the structure:

Environmental Assessment and Development Concepts: Barnes Point, Olympic National Park, Washington. NPS, DSC: June 1976.

Development Standards and Guidelines: Lake Crescent Lodge, Fall 1983, Olympic National Park, Washington. NPS, PNRO: Fall 1983.

Historic Preservation Survey of Lake Crescent Lodge Cabins (Bldgs. 668—674), Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park, Washington. Alfred A. Staehli, A.I.A., and Hank Florence for NPS, PNRO: February 1984. (See Appendix E)

Development Objectives for Lake Crescent Lodge (and Hurricane Ridge), Olympic National Park, Washington. NPS: July 1981.

Scope of Services - Renovation of Lake Crescent Lodge and Adjacent abins, Olympic National Park. NPS: 1984. (See Appendix F)

Food Service Facilities, Main Lodge Dining Room and Cocktail Lounge, Food Service Program for Lake Crescent Lodge, Olympic National Park, Washington. NPS: July 1, 1982.

Lake Crescent Lodge Foundation Study. Systems Architects Engineers, Seattle, Washington: March 1982.

Georgia Tech Building Data Capsule: Pacific Northwest Region, Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent Lodge. Georgia Tech for NPS: 1983.

—Justification of Proposed Treatment re: applicable criteria in NPS "Management Policies" and NPS—28, "Cultural Resource Management Guidelines," and the characteristics and the limitations of the resource:

The Development Concept Plan of June, 1976 proposes the gradual rehabilitation or replacement of the current guest accommodation buildings of the lodge complex and the renovation of the lodge structure for year-round use. Since it is believed that the facility qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places, any proposed work at the facility will require compliance with applicable regulations implementing the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. Specifically, under Section 106 of the Act, this entails seeking the comments of the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation before carrying out any work that will impact the facility's historic resources. Compliance with procedures established by NPS—28, "Cultural Resource Management Guidelines" is also required. In addition, all work must meed the standards established by the Life Safety Code as contained in sub-part E of 29 CFR 1910.

—Recommended change in the proposed treatment or use of the structures, based on the degree of documentary or physical evidence, the condition of the structure, and other professional findings in the completed analysis section:

Analysis of the structures under consideration as documented in this report supports rehabilitation of the facility. Structural rehabilitation is required to correct problems that have occurred as the result of foundation settlement. Electrical and mechanical equipment needs updating to meet code requirement and to make the facility habitable for year-round use. Other deficiencies are discussed in the report.

Thus, it is necessary to design building improvement that meet the functional requirements necessary for an efficient and safe hotel operation. Equally important is the need to provide a guest-attracting environment which is necessary for an economically-sound operation.

—Recommendations for the documentation, cataloguing, conservation, and storage of any objects, documents, records, photographs, negatives, and tapes collected or produced as a result of the study:

This document will be sent to all parties listed on the Standard Distribution List of the Cultural Resources Division, Pacific Northwest Regional Office, National Park Service. (See Appendix H)

The record HABS drawings and other appropriate documentation produced by this project will be transferred to the Library of Congress.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING

The Olympic Peninsula of Washington State forms the northwestern corner of the conterminous United States. The peninsula is predominately a wilderness of glaciers, rugged mountains, dense old-growth forests, water-sculpted vegetation, numerous rivers, streams, and lakes. Within its boundaries, encompassing 900,000 acres of its interior and sections of its coastline, is Olympic National Park.

Located in the northernmost portion of the park is Lake Crescent. Jutting into the lake from its southern shore is a peninsula, Barnes Point, a delta formed by Barnes Creek. The creek runs through the southern edge of the peninsula before emptying into Lake Crescent.

Lake Crescent Lodge is sited on Barnes Point, approximately one hundred yards north of Barnes Creek. Other natural site boundaries include Pyramid Mountain to the northwest, Storm King Mountain to the northeast, and Happy Lake Ridge and Aurora Peak to the south. Primary vehicular access to the site is along Highway 101, which follows the southern edge of the lake.

NATURAL SETTING

Most of Barnes Point is covered with a mixed lowland, temperate forest. Several portions of the point are covered with old-growth or virgin forest; most of the trees and many of the shrubs and ground cover plants are evergreen. The climate is so conducive to rapid vegetative growth that the ground in a denuded area can be totally covered in one year and support lush growth in three to four years.

REGIONAL MAP

VICINITY MAP

Four species of fish are relatively abundant in Lake Crescent: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, land-locked sockeye salmon (kokanee), and sculpin. Barnes Creek is the principal spawning ground for the cutthroat.

Mammals present in the area include the Roosevelt elk, shrew, mole, black bear, racoon, mink, river otter, spotted skunk, coyote, cougar, bobcat, mountain beaver, chipmunk, mouse, Douglas squirrel, beaver, black-tailed deer, and mountain goat.

Waterfowl utilize the lake, although not in great numbers. Numerous species of shorebirds and common forest birds inhabit the area.

CONTEXT: BARNES POINT (click on image for a PDF version)