Oregon Caves Chateau Celebrates 75 Year History

Oregon Historic Hotel: We asked Emilie Young, current director of the Chateau at the Oregon Caves, what she found most interesting about the 75 year history of the beautiful hotel. Without hesitation, she answered, "I find it fascinating that 10 business men came together in the middle of the Great Depression to conceive the Chateau. The group privately funded the design and the building of the structure. Their intent was to build a local, non-profit attraction that would employ local residents, display local art, incorporate local-sourced food, and play off the huge attraction of the caves. These 10 men," says Ms. Young, "had the vision to create an economic development component to aid the surrounding communities."

This rustic, Swiss-style, wood-framed building is securely nestled in a forested ravine by the cave's entrance. With its shaggy exterior sheathed in Port Orford cedar bark, the wooden post-and-beam Chateau is a visual delight. The 75-year-old lodge has 30-inch diameter log columns, a rustic staircase crafted from oak and madrone wood, a massive marble hearth, a 1930s-style coffee shop, and, in the dining area, a section of Cave Creek that's been channeled to flow through the graciously elegant room.

Designated as one of the "Great Lodges of Oregon" (the other two are Crater Lake Lodge and Timberline Lodge), you can overnight in one of its stately rooms and dine in the Chateau's unique restaurant. The Chateau at the Oregon Caves is located at 20000 Caves Hwy, Cave Junction OR. Phone 877-245-9022 for lodging or dining reservations or visit the Chateau's website.

This just in from the weird file...we just had to add a blurb about the ghost hunter taking on the ghosts at the Oregon Caves Chateau....