Ashford in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Paradise Ranger Station

Mount Rainier National Park

— National Park Service —

Paradise Ranger Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

1. Paradise Ranger Station Marker

Inscription.
For eighty years park rangers used this building as a base for coordinating rescues and protecting park resources. The ranger station still serves this purpose, although it is no longer open to the public. Historically, the first floor was an information center and the second floor served as living quarters.

The stone and timber construction and steeply pitched roof are typical of the alpine rustic architecture at Paradise. As you walk the area, look for this rustic style reflected in other historic structures of the era. Floyd Schmoe, first park naturalist, stands on the front steps of the Paradise Ranger Station, 1928.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 46° 47.168′ N, 121° 44.122′ W. Marker is in Ashford, Washington, in Pierce County. It is on Paradise Road. Marker can be seen from the parking lot near the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashford WA 98304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region

and in Greater Seattle.

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It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Exploring Paradise (a few steps from this marker); Climbers’ Guide House (within shouting distance of this marker); Extreme Snowfall (within shouting distance of this marker); An Ancient Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Paradise Camp Lodge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paradise Inn (about 300 feet away); Paradise Historic District (about 300 feet away); Inspired to Preserve (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashford.

More about this marker. The marker contains a 1928 photograph of the first park naturalist, Floyd Schmoe, in front of the Paradise Ranger Station.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

2. Paradise Ranger Station Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

3. Paradise Ranger Station Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2026

4. Paradise Ranger Station Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.