Places

Chalet (Visitor Center) in July 1927.

NPS Historic Files

Oregon Caves Historic District: A Cultural Legacy

Long before Oregon Caves became a National Monument in 1909, the vision for a hotel and resort at the cave entrance was already beginning to take shape.

The first permanent structure built here was the Chalet in 1924, which now serves as the Visitor Center. However, this isn't the Chalet we see today. In 1942, the building was rebuilt, adding a third floor and the iconic archway. Today, the upper two floors of the Chalet function as dormitories for seasonal guides.

Following the Chalet, several rustic cabins were built in 1926, just up the slope beyond the Chalet archway. Originally intended for visitors, these cabins later served as summer ranger residences in 1935. Due to plumbing issues affecting the cave system, all but one of the cabins were removed. The last remaining cabin now houses the resource management office for the National Monument.

In 1929, plans were announced by local builder Gust Lium to construct the majestic Chateau, a lodge that has since become an iconic part of the Oregon Caves experience.