Stretching from the east to the west gates of
Glacier National Park,
Going-to-the-Sun Road, nearly 50 miles in length, took 11 years to be completed. With construction beginning in 1921, it was not until 1932 that the first car journeyed the complete route from the west gate of Glacier National Park to the east gate at St. Mary.Going-to-the-Sun Road was officially opened on July 15, 1933.
Passing through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the country as it climbs toward, then descends from, the Continental Divide, Going-to-the-Sun Road has become one of the Northwest's most popular back country mountain roads, as well as having been declared a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Upon entering Glacier National Park at the St. Mary (East) entrance, the first landmark encountered is the Visitor Centre and the park gates. Built in 1967, this Mid Century Modern-style visitor center was built as part of the Mission 66 initiative to serve as a welcome and information center, as well as a rest stop for visitors entering Glacier National Park along the Going to the Sun Road from the east.
Designed by Brinkman and Lenon, the building utilizes natural materials in its construction, and has a roofline that mimics the nearby mountains. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, owing to it being a particularly notable structure built under the Mission 66 initiative.
to it being a particularly notable structure built under the Mission 66 initiative.