TESTING The massive structure you see here is Timberline Lodge, a historic mountain lodge built right on the south side of Mount Hood in Oregon. What makes Timberline Lodge truly unique, beyond its stunning alpine setting, is that it was largely constructed during the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the lodge in 1937, and it served as a monumental undertaking for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This was a time when millions of Americans were unemployed, and projects like Timberline Lodge provided much-needed jobs and hope, while also creating enduring public amenities.

The architectural style is known as "Cascadian" and blends Arts and Crafts aesthetics with elements inspired by European alpine lodges. Notice the steeply pitched roofs, designed to shed heavy snowfall, and the extensive use of natural materials like stone and timber, much of it sourced directly from the surrounding area. The lodge was built primarily by hand, with artisans and craftsmen creating intricate carvings, textiles, and ironwork that still adorn the interior today. This dedication to craft and natural harmony is what gives the lodge such a distinctive and almost organic feel, making it appear as if it grew out of the mountain itself. Even the large, roughly-hewn boulders in the foreground echo the rugged landscape and the building's deep connection to its environment.

Timberline Lodge is famous for more than just its history and architecture, however. It's also known as the exterior filming location for the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's iconic 1980 horror film, "The Shining." While the interior scenes were shot on a soundstage, the lodge's imposing and somewhat isolated presence certainly contributed to the movie's chilling atmosphere. Today, it operates as a fully functional ski lodge and resort, drawing visitors year-round for skiing, hiking, and simply to experience a piece of American history nestled in the breathtaking Cascade Mountains.