Cabin #815 - Rising Sun Auto Camp - Glacier National Park, MT
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 48° 41.798 W 113° 31.068
12U E 314733 N 5396791
Entered in the National Register on January 19, 1996, Rising Sun Auto Camp was constructed in 1941 to serve the motoring public.
Waymark Code: WM115MR
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 08/19/2019
Views: 1
When Glacier National Park was created in the early 20th century, the only means of access was via the Great Northern Railway. As automobiles improved and roadways were constructed to accommodate them, tourists began to take to the road instead of the railroad. Soon Auto Camps, both government operated and privately owned, began to appear across the continent. The first to be built in Glacier National Park, the Swiftcurrent Auto Camp in 1933, proved very successful as motoring tourists demanded less expensive accommodations which were easily accessible by road.
Built at about the midpoint of St. Mary Lake, Rising Sun Auto Camp is about 6 miles west of the east edge of Glacier National Park along Going to the Sun Road. The original camp consisted of a large general store/motel, two dormitories, a power house, and 19 cabins. The first cabin, #813, was placed a bit away from the rest of the cabins, a bit as an advertisement for the campground to passing motorists. This cabin, #815, is the second one near the road that one passes on the roadway which meanders through the 19 cabins.
The cabins are spread, seemingly randomly, through the Douglas Fir at the rear of the camp. Some are well shaded for privacy and protection from the sun while most are more open, allowing cooling breezes. Each cabin is dual occupancy, with separate entrances and a single bedroom in each side. With not a lot of amenities beyond the basics, these cabins presently rent for $173 per night. This and #814 are well shaded by large fir trees.
Some more recent buildings have been added to the side, most notably a motel at the front and larger, dormitory style, accommodations.
Eligible (contributing) Buildings are:
Cafe/Store/Motel - #810
Cabin/Office/Dorm - #811
Employee Residence - #812
Cabins - #813-#831
