2017 Wildfire Burns Sperry Chalet
Sperry Chalet was built in Glacier National Park in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway. Six miles from the nearest trailhead, Sperry Chalet welcomed guests for more than 100 years before a September 2017 wildfire destroyed the wooden infrastructure of this treasured stone building.
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Quick National Park Service Response
Fortunately, although the fire torched the entire wooden structure and roof, the stone walls stood tall. Before the smoke cleared and with winter fast approaching, the National Park Service and the Glacier National Park Conservancy sprang into action to save Sperry Chalet.
Stabilizing the Stone Walls
Immediately after the fire, the main concern was to brace the stone walls so they would survive Glacier Park’s brutal winter with its 20-foot snowbanks.
Timber Bracing
Timbers were helicoptered to the site and used to brace the stone walls.
Survives the First Winter
To the great relief of all involved, a mid-winter flyover showed that the timber bracing worked and the stone walls survived the winter of 2017-2018 intact. Rebuilding could begin once the snow melted.
Rebuilding 2018-2019
Dick Anderson Construction was the general contractor hired to rebuild Sperry Chalet. Pioneer Log Homes crafted the log portion of the wooden structure remotely. The log package was then helicoptered to the job site for assembly.
Stonework
Most of the original stonework was in surprising good condition; however, significant repairs were performed by Anderson Masonry. When necessary, replacement stone was quarried in the same nearby site as the original stone for Sperry Chalet.
Reopening to Public in 2020
After two frantic summers of work, the rebuilding of Sperry Chalet is complete. The chalet is taking reservations for the summer of 2020.
All images from Glacier National Park Conservancey.