ABC Wednesday at Mrs. Nesbitt's.
All my pictures of the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise on Mount Rainier are taken in winter. In fact, we made a trip up there on Monday just to get some more shots.
Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson was a several term senator from Washington state. During the 60s, when Jackson was in the Senate, he was instrumental in getting the funding for a visitor center at Paradise, a major tourist destination at the 5300 foot level of Mt. Rainier.
The problem was, in order to get the funding, there had to be a design ready for the building. Getting a new design by an architectural firm would take another two years. The visitor center was needed now.
There was a plan already available, however, recently done for another park. It was borrowed, the funding was obtained, and the center was built and dedicated to Senator Jackson. I'm not sure which park the plan was from--it was one of the ones in Hawaii, so the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center has a twin in Hawaii.
The problem is, while the design was perfect for Hawaii, it has always had some serious problems in a location which annually vies for the record for the most snowfall in a season. Summer is one thing. But in the winter, it takes many gallons of oil a day to heat the roof so that the snow pack will not build up and cave it in. That is one of the reasons, along with changes in fire, safety, and accessibility standards, that this aging building is being replaced.
Construction on the new visitor center began in 2006 and is going along well with completion expected this summer. We were surprised at how roomy it appears, as the description has been that it is much smaller than the current center.
You notice the steeply pitched roof, which will shed the snow without the extreme expenditure for heating oil. The design also fits in with other historic buildings at Paradise.
Once the new building is complete and the exhibits ready for visitors, the old Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center will be demolished. It will certainly be different.
Once the new building is complete and the exhibits ready for visitors, the old Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center will be demolished. It will certainly be different.
Just another day in Paradise!
25 comments:
Hi, I came in to see you and thank you for visiting and leaving a message. I love blogs with photos and oddly enough (for no reason in particular) I remember Senator Scoop Jackson...I don't know why except my friend Peggy and I were Pres/and Vice Pres of the Young Democrat Party in the early 60's...there were only 4 of us, and the other two girls were sec/and treasurer...I think we rotated roles every few months and then suddenly we were Republicans...and my Granddad liked me again...hmm, odd how memories roll back to the surface just from the mention of a name. Now before I overstay my welcome, I want to check out the lose weight in 08 site...maybe I can join before my butt gets any broader
Sandi
I bet it will be a wonderful building! I kinda like the old Hawaii style one tho but understand the problems.
I forgot about the name of that place or I could have used it instead of having to create a J photo myself. lol (I wonder when it is Wednesday in England? I know I used to link up before now by changing the ime and day on my post but nothing there yet.)
Great post for ABC - wow what a lot of snow.
I think the first building looks like a flying saucer ;-)
Good Post.
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Beautiful photos. The snow makes them really stand out.
I learned a lot about Mr. Jackson
I did Jamestown VA. so come by if you have time.
Great J series.
From Paradise. :)
So much snow,much more than we have had this winter in the north of Norway.Very good J-post:o)
American Politics baffles me, infact the UK political scene does too, but it is always good to know the origins of buildings!
Wonderful post and I do love that snow...
Nice photos (brrrr) and history lesson. Very interesting. I'm glad they're replacing the 1st one - aside from the massive amounts of oil being used, this new one does look so much more in keeping with the locale.
You always amaze me with your treks into the wild! Even with all that snow you're hiking. Good for you. I've been to that visitor center in 1988 but in the heat of summer!!! I'm in Washington right now for Easter headed back to Cali on Sunday. Blessings...
That looks like place worth visiting. I didn't get up there the one time I have been to Seattle, but I have number of pictures of the mountain from a distance.
Thank you for the trip!
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.. it looks as if a flying saucer landed there!
Yup!! Definitely a flying saucer!!!
Hi!
Great pictures!
I found you via David
You'd think they might have thought of the temperature differeneces before they started!!
Great photos and story.
It's great to go to people's sites and find great ideas for visiting when/if in that area. This is a good choice for our J day. Cheers. :D
Another Paradise! That new building not only looks more functional but is easier on the eye. Much better! Great photos again - love the snow.
I have an award at my place for you - pop over and pick it up. :0)
Both beautiful structures in their own right. Love that misty shot of the older round building. Adding "Paradise" to my list of places to visit soon... ThanX for sharing this.
That is an interesting story! Thanks for sharing it today!
You have what we all need in your comment section. It's the Name/Url option that works for sending people directly to the actual post instead of the blog profile page. A lot of blogspot people don't have this open option on their comment page.
I can see why they would want to change the pitch of the roof....I like the new building.
Neat series of photos and the text to go along with them.
Just great Katney - thanks for the tour!
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