Lake General Store

Charles Hamilton founded Hamilton Stores in 1915 and opened a variety of concessions in Yellowstone National Park for the next 88 years.  In 1917, Hamilton leased his first General Store in the Lake area from Yellowstone Park Boat Company at the outlet of the lake located in front of the hotel.  At this time there were significant advances and changes in transportation due to the influence of the automobile.  From 1891 to 1917, early park visitors were transported by stagecoach from the Old Faithful are to West Thumb where they boarded a steamboat, the Zillah, transporting them from West Thumb to the Lake Hotel.

W. M. Nichols, president of the Yellowstone Park Boat Company, influenced Hamilton to "buy the store and dwelling from the boat company, move the buildings at least 100 feet back from Yellowstone Lake to improve the lake view from the hotel, and make alterations to the store to improve its appearance."  Hamilton took the advice and by 1922 constructed his first building in the park; today this structure is considered eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places within the Lake Historic District. 

Architecturally, the unique octagonal center structure with radiating wings is intriguing.  The Lake General Store's soda fountain has been a traditional favorite since 1926.  The basis for the more substantial fountain equipment was installed in 1938 by the Northwest Fixture Company of Billings.  The current fountain retains the existing stools, but the countertop was replaced with plastic and the bar was faced with pine paneling. 

Since 2003, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts continue to operate the retail concessions at twelve General Stores throughout Yellowstone National Park.  The Lake General Store was rehabilitated from 2009 to 2010.  We incorporated a framework of sustainable building standards and practices throughout the project while maintaining the historic integrity of the building.  Structural improvements were implemented to resist seismic and snow loads; the foundation was replaced and the walls and roof were reinforced.  Interior improvements included the replacement of the maple floor (the previous floor was repurposed for fixtures and products), installation of energy and water efficient fixtures and equipment, and the diversion of construction waste from the landfill.--from Lake General Store signage

The octagonal building certainly was very interesting, especially to see how it played out on the interior.

I really liked the chandelier (also seen above).  In this picture also notice the historic photographs placed around the edge of the walls--these were featured throughout the building.

And you can't go wrong with a fireplace!

But the outside was also interesting.  When you step outside you are only a short distance from the lakeshore, and on a clear day you get an excellent view of the mountains on the other side of the lake.

Perhaps because it is a historic structure, there are no publicly accessible restrooms located inside the general store.  They are located in a separate building that is located behind the store.

It includes classic old-style sinks.

And the small wooded area surrounding the restrooms is teeming with different kinds of plants.

~Matt