Timberline Lodge: A Mountain Icon Built by Hand
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Timberline Lodge: A Mountain Icon Built by Hand
If Mount Hood is the soul of Oregon, then Timberline Lodge is its heart. Perched at 6,000 feet on the southern slope of the mountain, the lodge is more than just a place to warm up after a day in the snow—it’s a symbol of craftsmanship, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Pacific Northwest.
🛠️ Built by Hands, Not Machines
Construction on Timberline Lodge began in 1936, in the depths of the Great Depression. It was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA)—a program designed to put Americans back to work. But this was no cookie-cutter government project. It was a bold vision: a ski lodge built entirely by hand, using local materials and the skills of blacksmiths, woodworkers, stonemasons, and artists.
Much of the stone was quarried right on the mountain. The wood came from nearby forests. Even the iron hardware, wool rugs, and carved newel posts were made by local artisans and craftspeople. It’s one of the last standing examples of what the WPA set out to prove—that America could build things that were useful and beautiful.
When the lodge opened in 1937, President Roosevelt himself was there for the dedication. He called it “a monument to the skill and industry of the people,” and time has proven him right.
🎿 A Home for Skiers, Hikers, and History Buffs
From the beginning, Timberline was a place for adventurers—skiers carving turns on Palmer Glacier, hikers setting off into the backcountry, and families coming just to soak up the view.
The lodge is one of the only ski areas in North America with year-round skiing, thanks to its elevation and glacial terrain. But its appeal goes beyond the snow. With hand-carved beams, massive stone fireplaces, and original WPA-era furniture still in use, it’s a walk through history every time you step inside.
It’s also served as a backdrop for pop culture—most famously, the exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining were filmed here.
🏔️ A Living Landmark
Today, Timberline Lodge is designated a National Historic Landmark, but it’s not frozen in time. It still welcomes thousands of visitors each year and continues to be run by the same family-operated company that’s cared for it since the 1950s.
The spirit of the place hasn’t changed. It’s still a refuge, a gathering place, a base camp for anyone drawn to Mt. Hood’s wild slopes and quiet beauty.