Lewis and Clark Caverns Entrance Building
This is the former site of the Lewis and Clark Caverns Park Entrance Building, a simple A-frame which welcomed visitors to the park for over fifty years.
In 1939, park management began plans to build a greeting center and caretaker residence at the entrance to the park. These plans were put on hold when the park closed during the latter half of World War II. However, in 1948, the State Parks Commission finally hired its own architect, Burt Gewalt, to begin work on a park entrance building, which was completed in 1950. Gewalt's work can also be found in Glacier National Park at Lake McDonald.
This building became Montana's first park visitor entrance building. Gewalt's A-frame design was heavily influenced by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings of the Great Depression. The rock work, drinking fountain, flagstaff, sidewalks, parking spaces, signs, and landscaping were all reminiscent of the CCC era architecture.
Erected by Montana State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Natural Features • Parks & Recreational Areas.
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Location. 45° 49.35′ N, 111° 51.078′ W. Marker is near Cardwell, Montana, in Jefferson County. It is on State Highway 2, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1455 Montana Highway 2, Cardwell MT 59721, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country and in Greater Helena. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lean Times Ahead (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bighorns no More? (approx. 1.3 miles away); LaHood Park (approx. 4 miles away); Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 4 miles away); Welcome to Parker Homestead State Park
More about this marker. This marker is located in Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park near the present headquarters office.
Also see . . . Lewis and Clark Caverns Montanas First State Park -- Bozeman Magazine. Of Montanas 300 caves worthy of name, the Lewis and Clark Caverns are considered the most spectacular. The caverns are not just one big cave, like some of the other popular caves in the country, but a series of unique rooms connected by narrow tunnels. Visitors descend 500 stairs and down nearly 400 vertical feet. (Submitted on October 26, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
