I’ll be signing copies of my book, Adventures in Yellowstone: Early Travelers Tell Their Tales, in the lobby of the world famous Old Faithful Inn this Friday and Saturday reprising an event I had last summer. You shouldn’t visit Old Faithful without going inside the Inn, so if you’re there this weekend look for me.  I’d love to sign a book for you.  If you can’t make it, remember I’ll be back on August 20 and 21

It’s always a thrill to be in the setting that Wikipedia describes like this:  “With its spectacular log and limb lobby and massive (500-ton, 85-foot) stone fireplace, the inn is a prime example of the ‘Golden Age’ of rustic resort architecture.”

The inn, which was built using local lumber and stone, is said to be the largest log structure in the world.  When Old Faithful Inn opened in 1904, it was a state-of-the-art facility with electric lights and steam heat.

An earthquake in 1959 stalled the clock and damaged the fireplace so only two of its hearths work.  There has been some renovation are rearrangement of furniture, but the inn looks pretty much as it did in 1913 when Forest and Stream magazine published the description below.

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 In this basin, besides … the numerous hot springs and wonderful geysers, is the Old Faithful Inn, one of the most costly and attractive log houses to be seen anywhere. The logs for the most part are rough as they appear in their natural state. Massive logs tapering on each ascending balcony appear as giant trees. The staircase leading to the lookout has split logs for steps. Windows of diamond-shaped glass and dainty French curtains are exquisitely beautiful against the setting of rough logs.” In the center the building rises eight stories high, and from this lofty eminence you have a most charming panoramic view of the Upper Geyser Basin. It was built at a cost of two hundred thousand dollars. The chimney of this immense structure has four large and four small fireplaces, and fastened to the chimney is a great iron clock that keeps Mountain Time.

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 — Excerpt from “A Trip to Yellowstone Park” by G.S. Wyatt.  Forest and Stream, December 27, 1913.

— Image, J.P. Clum lantern, Coppermine Photo Gallery.

— You can read Thomas D. Murphy’s 1912 description of Old Faithful Inn here, and about my book signing last summer here.