The 1920's and 1930's were boom times for development of local area resorts. How many and where you might ask? Following is a map I put together using King County's iMap tool. Current parks, natural areas and open space are shown in green. Private resorts operated during the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's are highlighted in pink, each with a number from 1 thru 15 (pardon my grade school penmanship).
For some of these historical sites, I have provided photos and descriptions in past posts. Links where available are included in the listings below:
Lake Sawyer
1. Lake Sawyer Paradise Resort
Lake 12
3. Profitable Pleasure at Lake 12
Lake Retreat
4. Lake Retreat Resort
Green River Gorge
5. Rudge's Green River Gorge Resort
6. Green River Gorge Auto Park
7. Vagabond Motor Inn
Deep Lake
8. Spotlight - Nolte State Park
Dandy Lake
Green River
10. Flaming Geyser State Park - History Update
11. Diamond Mineral Springs Resort
Lake Meridian
Pipe Lake & Lake Lucerne
Shadow Lake
14. Heiser's Shadow Lake Resort
Lake Wilderness
15. Gaffney's Lake Wilderness Resort
Visiting each of these locations to see them as they are today makes for a fun local road trip and plenty of hiking opportunities.
Lake Wilderness was actually home to two competing resorts: Gaffney's and the other (also named after the proprietors) whose name I don't have at hand.
Posted by: Bill Kombol | 06/20/2017 at 11:08 AM