Harper Government Designates Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House as a National Historic Site of Canada

Rustic log buildings evoke the early days of tourism in Jasper National Park

OTTAWA, March 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the designation of the Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House as a National Historic Site of Canada. Offering magnificent views of Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, the Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House are representative of the backcountry lodges that provide tourists with authentic wilderness experiences in the Rocky Mountain national parks.

Built by well-known Jasper outfitter and guide Fred Brewster with the support of Canadian National Railways, the Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House illustrate the prominent role played by outfitters, guides, and the competing interests of railways in the development of tourism in the national parks. It was hoped that providing experiences in the backcountry regions of the national park would encourage tourists to visit Jasper.

As our country nears its 150^th birthday in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to learn more about the historic sites, persons and events that have shaped their country's history. Canada's national historic designations enable us to experience our rich history and heritage in a special way and play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150.

Quick Facts

• Located 47 km southeast of the Jasper townsite by road, Maligne Lake is a large, glacier-fed lake surrounded by mountains and wooded hills.
• Fred Brewster, a legendary figure in Jasper, began taking tourists on guided trail rides to Maligne Lake in 1914, where his guests stayed in tents.
• Constructed in between 1935 and 1942, these buildings are what remain of an early lodge complex on the shores of Maligne Lake.
• The site remained popular with tourists, including those who arrived by automobile after a road was constructed to the lake in the 1940s, and continued to accommodate overnight guests into the late 1960s.
• Today, Maligne Lake remains an iconic area of Jasper National Park with outstanding scenery and signature visitor attractions.
• Parks Canada manages a nationwide network of 167 national historic sites, 44 national parks and four national marine conservation areas that make up the rich tapestry of Canada's cultural and natural heritage.

Quote

"Our Government is pleased to designate the Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House as a National Historic Site of Canada. Maligne Lake remains one of the most iconic visitor attractions in Jasper and these rustic log buildings continue to remind us of the early days of tourism in this incredible national park."

Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead

Related Product

Backgrounder: Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House

Associated Link

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
www.pc.gc.ca/eng/clmhc-hsmbc/index.aspx

Backgrounder

Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House,
Jasper National Park, Alberta

The Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House are rustic log buildings situated on a rise of land that offers magnificent views of Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. Constructed in 1935 and 1937-1942, these buildings, once surrounded by tents and sleeping cabins, are what remains of an early lodge complex, and speak to the role of backcountry lodges as a popular form of accommodation for tourists seeking authentic wilderness experiences in the Rocky Mountains.

They were built by well-known Jasper outfitter and guide Fred Brewster with the support of Canadian National Railways, illustrating the prominent role played by outfitters, guides, and the competing interests of railways in the development of the national parks.

The rustic design of these buildings is also significant. Their peeled log construction, hip roofs, and exposed log detailing reflect a dominant architectural trend within the mountain parks and the selection of this style was an attempt to encourage and reinforce a tourist experience where access was by foot or by horseback.

Located 47 km southeast of the Jasper townsite by road, Maligne Lake is a large, glacier-fed lake surrounded by mountains and wooded hills, and is one of Jasper National Park's most popular visitor attractions. Fred Brewster, a legendary figure in Jasper, began taking tourists on guided trail rides to Maligne Lake in 1914, where his guests stayed in tents. In 1925, Brewster struck a deal with Canadian National Railways, who held a monopoly over tourism in the park, to build overnight accommodations at the lake. Both parties hoped that expanding development into the backcountry regions of the park would encourage tourists to visit Jasper. In 1927, the first phase of Maligne Lake Chalet opened, and guided trail rides to the scenic lake soon became a "must-do" activity for tourists.

In the early years, guests to Brewster's camp at Maligne Lake stayed in tents or in the guest cabin, which was constructed in 1935. The chalet, which was expanded in 1935 and 1941, served as a rustic lodge in which guests could dine and relax after a day of riding or hiking. The log-cabin design of these buildings was purposely chosen to enhance the guests' experience of being in the wilderness.

In time, the camp at Maligne Lake expanded to include several more cabins and operational buildings. The site remained popular with tourists, including those who arrived by automobile after a road was constructed to the lake in the 1940s, and continued to accommodate overnight guests into the late 1960s.These rustic log buildings continue to evoke the early days of tourism in Jasper.

SOURCE Parks Canada

Image with caption: "Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the designation of the Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House as a National Historic Site of Canada (CNW Group/Parks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150317_C5852_PHOTO_EN_13328.jpg