Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, The Santiam Pass Ski Lodge In Oregon Is Being Restored To Its Former Glory
Here’s a wonderful and developing story that’s going to warm your heart! Way back in 1939, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a ski lodge in the High Cascades of Western Oregon. The purpose of this lodge was to expand recreational opportunities for Oregonians in these mountains. The Santiam Pass Ski Lodge, which was built over a seven-month period on Santiam Pass on US-20, was completed in February 1940. After many years of use, it was abandoned and left to decay in 1987 – until now. Over the past few years, hard-working volunteers have begun to renovate this lodge and hope to have it back open to the public soon. Read on to learn more about this abandoned building in Oregon and its interesting story.
The Santiam Pass Ski Lodge is a beautiful building. Here's a photo of it soon after its construction was completed in the winter of 1940.
This lodge was an important player in the recreation of thousands of people over the years. In its early years, it was run by a council of representatives of outdoor groups from local cities, and meals and lodging were overseen by the U.S. Forest Service.
In its very first year, over 10,000 people visited the lodge to ski and participate in other outdoor recreation activities.
The lodge was popular, but it turns out that it was a bit low on the mountain for a ski lodge - there often wasn't enough snow for skiing. As a result, by 1958, the U.S. Forest Service turned it over to the Presbyterian Church Council to use for a year-round youth camp. It continued to be used for that purpose until 1987 when the camp outgrew the space.
From that point forward, the building was vacant. No one cared for it. In 2003, it almost became a victim of the Booth and Bear Complex Fires, but wildfire firefighters protected it.
In 2017, a group called Friends of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge was formed. This group, spearheaded by Dwight and Susan Sheets, developed a plan to bring the lodge back to its former glory.
The group has been working to restore the lodge since 2019. Restoration is happening in three phases and will take many years. Of course, the pandemic slowed things down a bit, but now it's really moving forward.
Phase One is dedicated to securing the main structure and improving the exterior of the building. Phase Two involves the renovation of the interior. Phase Three will revitalize the trails, landscaping, and outbuildings.
This is the original CCC-built lodge sign from 1939. It was found under the timbers of the front porch of a nearby cabin managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Maybe someday it will identify this building yet again.
When the renovation is complete, the lodge will again be open to the public for recreational use. Inside, there will be a small cafe and a gift shop to earn money to manage the property.
The lodge will also be available for venue rental by individuals and groups. Currently, there are no plans to offer overnight lodging facilities here, but it's possible that they may be added in the future.
This entry staircase is one of the group's more recent successes in the renovation project. Isn't it beautiful? It will be amazing to see this place when the whole project is completed.
The continuing story of the Santiam Pass Ski Lodge is an uplifting one and is real evidence that Oregonians can accomplish anything they take on. This lodge is historic and unique and it’s exciting to know that it likely has a long future ahead of it, thanks to the dedicated folks who have decided to give their time, effort, and funds to bring it back to life.
You can learn more about this renovation and its progress on the website of the Friends of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge group. You can also find out how to get involved! The group posts regular renovation updates to the website as well.
