The Longmire Administration Building in 1932. This National Historic Landmark is an excellent example of NPS Rustic style architecture.
Mount Rainier National Park Archives
The Longmire Area, also known as the Longmire Village, was originally listed as a National Historic Landmark District in 1991. Longmire has several areas zoned for different uses, including the main public area (known as the Longmire Plaza), the utility area, the residential area, the campground, and the Longmire Meadow.
The Longmire Area has excellent integrity with 58 buildings, almost 75%, contributing to the historic district. There are 16 non-contributing buildings. The buildings that are non-contributing either do not date to the period of significance from 1888-1942 or have been significantly altered in a way that has profoundly changed their physical appearance and character. Three buildings in this developed area are already designated National Historic Landmarks for their architectural significance: the Longmire Administration Building, the Service Station, and the Community Building.
Together, the buildings of the Longmire Area are one of the most extensive collections of Park Service Rustic architectural style that exists. Besides the outstanding examples, such as the Administration Building, and the contributing buildings listed below, there is a full complement of residential bungalows, cottages, cabins, and other buildings that are excellent examples of Park Service architecture of the period. Much of the housing was also constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1937-1941.
As part of the management plan, roads were designed to help define the different use zones in Longmire. This road serves as dividing axis between the residential and maintenance areas, while also connecting the main visitor plaza (located along the Nisqually-Paradise Road) to the campground on the south side of the Nisqually River.
Utility Area Roads
Date Constructed: 1920-30s
Builder: National Park Service
Roads in the utility area connect buildings laid out in a utilitarian, gridiron pattern with each building oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the main road. Between the buildings are wide spaces with continuous pavement without curbs or sidewalks to facilitate the maneuvering of vehicles and equipment.
Residential Area Roads
Date Constructed: 1920-30s
Builder: National Park Service
The residential area had two phases; a lower area beside the main road in the late 1920s and a higher area nestled against the forest in the 1930s. The lower area features numerous bungalow-style cottages clustered around common areas along a loop road. The higher area was built by the CCC with simple cabins along a second residential loop road going up a hill and a spur road with a cul-de-sac.
Campground Loop Roads
Date Constructed: 1920-30s
Builder: National Park Service
A half-mile loop round originally designed with enough camp sites to accommodate 200 vehicles. The campground opened August 5, 1925, and was called the Longmire Public Auto Camp. Today the campground is called the Longmire Stewardship Campground and hosts volunteers and partner groups.
Trail of the Shadows
Date Constructed: 1920-30s
Builder: National Park Service
The eastern section of the trail loosely follows a trail originally built by the Longmire family to access the Longmire Springs Hotel. The trail was extended to completely encircle the Longmire Meadow, incorporating cultural features like Iron Mike Springs while also serving as a nature trail by meandering in and out of the forest.
Soda Springs
Date Constructed: Circa 1920
Builder: National Park Service
Located along the Trail of the Shadows, this spring is named for the soda, magnesium, iron, and sodium chloride content of its waters. It has a stone masonry enclosure surrounded by a wooden plank walkway with a short spur trail edged by stone parapet walls.
Iron Mike Springs
Date Constructed: Circa 1920
Builder: National Park Service
The high iron content of the water gives this spring its rusty color and name. Located along the Trail of the Shadows, Iron Mike has a circular stone masonry enclosure with concrete steps enclosed by a U-shaped parapet wall.
Nisqually Suspension Bridge
Date Constructed: 1924, 1952, 2005
Builder: National Park Service
A pedestrian bridge had existed since 1911 but was replaced by a larger single-span suspension bridge in 1924 to connect Longmire to an area across the river that was developed as a campground. The 1952 and 2005 reconstructions are substantially consistent in workmanship and materials to the earlier bridge. It is the only remaining timber-frame vehicle suspension bridge designed by the NPS.
Located along the Trail of the Shadows. Along with the Iron Mike and Soda mineral springs, this cabin is the only remaining structure from the original resort development in the Longmire Meadow. It is a 13x16 feet, one story, one room cabin with walls of unhewn half-cut Douglas-fir logs and cedar shingle roof. The original log walls were replaced in-kind by the CCC in 1934, and in 1970, the NPS replaced the roof and added a new concrete foundation. While none of the original materials remain, the Longmire Cabin is still found in its historic location and its construction is typical of the period of early settlement.
Library
Date Constructed: 1910
Builder: Department of the Interior
Example of early (pre-NPS) government buildings, with simpler wood plank construction. The library was originally constructed as a community kitchen.
Hiker's Center/Gift Shop
Date Constructed: 1911
Builder: Department of the Interior
Now serves as the National Park Inn General Store.
Macy Dormitory
Date Constructed: 1913
Builder: Department of the Interior
Currently serves as office space for park employees.
Museum
Date Constructed: 1916
Builder: Department of the Interior
Formerly the first administrative headquarters for the park and served as the superintendent's office for more than ten years. Relocated in 1929 in front of the Administration Building, then moved across the street to its current location in 1977.
National Park Inn
Date Constructed: 1917
Builder: Longmire Springs Hotel Company
The current National Park Inn was originally named the Longmire Springs Hotel and was located in the Longmire Meadow. In an effort to preserve the Longmire Meadow and consolidate visitor accommodations, the hotel was moved across the road next to the original National Park Inn (constructed by the Tacoma & Eastern Railroad Company in 1906) and re-named as the National Park Inn Annex. In 1926, the original National Park Inn burned down, leaving behind the annex and clubhouse (now general store). The annex soon became known as the National Park Inn that exists today. The Inn was rehabilitated by the National Park Service in 1989.
A timber-frame, two-story building with whole-log posts, beams, and rafters, a stone masonry chimney, and a large, roofed porch in the Rustic style. Closed to the public, the building serves as a gathering and training place for park employees and volunteers.
One of the best surviving examples of a NPS Rustic administration building, this two-story building has glacial boulder masonry on its first floor with a half-log veneer on the second story.
Woodshed
Date Constructed: Circa 1928
Builder: National Park Service
Located near the National Park Inn, this is a reconstruction of a historic shed in the same location, with partially enclosed log-veneer walls and gable roof with cedar shingles.
One of the best surviving examples of a NPS Rustic gas station in the National Park Service. The station stopped selling gasoline in 1994 and the interior now houses an exhibit on the history of transportation in the park.
