In the late 1930s, the Northern Railway placed a stop in Essex, a small town in Montana, which is in close proximity to the Glacier National Park. In fact, the town is nestled between the gorgeous park’s two main entrances.
With plans to add a third park entrance, a business boom was anticipated. Hence, the Izaak Walton Inn opened, hoping to accommodate all future tourists and rail workers that the town was “sure to attract”.
Unfortunately, the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor prompted the United States to enter WWII and the plan to add a new entrance was completely forgotten.
Many of us would think that the modern $40,000 hotel with its 29 rooms, 10 bathrooms, a grand lobby, and kitchen with a two-ton cook stove in a tiny town would be put out of business. But the inn persevered. All thanks to its excellent service, warm staff, and cozy accommodations, the Izaak Walton Inn attracted ski and nature enthusiasts seeking for quiet refuge. It eventually became one of the state’s best recreational destinations.
Today, the hotel gives an awe-inspiring, creative nod to its colorful locomotive roots. How? See for yourself.
This 60,000-pound rail car was hoisted by crane and was trucked to Essex. This caboose belonged to a Great Northern X215 that passed through town in 1941. It may look abandoned at first glance but it’s actually been converted into something really special for the hotel.
Izaak Walton Inn
Voila! Inside is a modern and cozy home that can accommodate six people. It flaunts a queen-size bed in the master bedroom
Izaak Walton Inn
… complete with a gas fireplace.
Izaak Walton Inn
It also comes with two sets of bunk beds…
Izaak Walton Inn
… and a fully-equipped kitchen!
Izaak Walton Inn
“We get a lot of rail fans here who just go crazy over the trains,” Elise Wright, Izaak Walton Inn assistant general manager, told the Daily Inter Lake.
Trains, yes, because the The GN X215 caboose isn’t the only reason why train buffs are flocking to this inn. Other beautifully restored cars, like the Great Northern 441 Locomotive, are in the premises as well.
Izaak Walton Inn
This one represents the diesels that used to roll past the the Izaak Walton Inn every day.
Izaak Walton Inn
Each one of the cars has been remodeled with lovely, rustic details. This car has birch walls that goes perfectly well with the 400-year-old reclaimed oak floor.
Izaak Walton Inn
This is a larger model which can hold up a small family or two couples. The modern kitchen looks divine!
Izaak Walton Inn
This one even has its original conductor’s locomotive intact! “Kids love the train cars, too,” Wright noted.
Izaak Walton Inn
This unique hotel also boasts other amazing converted cars including the JJ, Green, and Orange cabooses.
Izaak Walton Inn
Izaak Walton Inn
Izaak Walton Inn
What an amazing job of restoring pieces of American history! Even though no third entrance to the park was ever made, things sure did worked out just great for the hotel!
H/t Little Things