valley views The Alp Connection T
he Alp connection - a very unique relationship between Montana and Switzerland - persists today. Relationships provide meaning and a way to interpret the world around us. Similarities and differences can introduce people to something new. For example, a hot dog and a hamburger have similarities, but also differences, each being unique. Such concepts provide opportunities, which is what transpired in the Alp connection. Our story begins in the American west. In the late 1800s, the Great Northern Railway began to reach its lines toward the west. Such new tentacles of transportation were engineering marvels requiring a huge upfront investment to create. While the railway lines would eventually revolutionize life in the north-western frontier and accelerate the pace of development by years and years, the rail business
was extremely financially ries, the Swiss had made a risky early on. So, signifiway of life among the rugcant effort was focused on ged and dramatic granite strategies to increase the behemoths, grazing their railroad’s use and, by excattle in the high mountension, its tain meadrevenue. ows during One of the summer the aspects and in the that made lower valleys building the rest of railroads the year. more costly Alongside in the west the unique ben there was the lifestyle of DONE that magnifimountain Ben Stone cent Rocky grazing, the Media Production, Valley Journal Mountains. Swiss also However, developed a Louis Hill, President of distinctive and charming the Great Northern Railarchitectural style decoratway birthed an idea to turn ed with ornate wood carvan obstacle into an oppor- ings contrasted with sturdy tunity. This creative entrebroad beams to withstand preneur gazed across the the crushing weight of the ocean to a similar, magrelentless winter snow and nificent set of mountains their signature knockedcalled the “Alps.” While off corner roofs. a number of countries For many years, Switclaimed different sections zerland was known as the of this mountain range, “Playground of Europe”Switzerland had embraced expensive, exclusive, and the Alps as a part of their more spectacular than anynational image. For centu- where else. So, what better
subject to emulate in the Rockies? Spearheaded by Mr. Louis Hill, the president of the Great Northern Railway, a bill was introduced in Congress to create a new national park in the mountains called Glacier National Park. As soon as the park was created, Louis Hill formed the Glacier Park Company, a subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. This new company functioned as a concessionaire with the Park Service and built many of the iconic lodges and hotels in the park. Louis Hill was fascinated by Switzerland and its allure. Thus, he set about to promote the new park as the “American Switzerland.” In the first three years of the park’s existence, the Glacier Park Company built a whole slew of chalets including Belton, St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Sperry, Granite Park, Cut Bank, and Gunsight Lake. With these
new chalets nestled in the mountains, Hill ushered in numerous artists to capture the beautiful scenes. These works of art were then leveraged to market the park. Tourists flocked to see the rugged beauty of the mountains. And what was the best way to get there? The Great Northern Railway. The hotels and chalets the Glacier Park Company built were never profitable, but the enhancement of seeing “America’s Switzerland” created a decades-long boom of tourists who rode the Great Northern Railway to this destination. The economic impact of these tourists also rippled out and played a significant role in the further development of the park. Because of the popularity spurred by this clever image-based marketing, Glacier National Park is a favorite destination. In many ways, we can thank the early image campaign for developing Glacier into
add, on average, 100 books one of our Partner libraries to our colwill. This time lection each of year, I love month? to check out I’m sure the holiday we have magazines with something craft ideas, you will recipes and Abbi Dooley, North Lake County Public decorating tips. love, and if Library District We have two not, I’m sure
digital platforms where you can checkout magazines for free: Flipster and Libby. Libby has hundreds of magazines to choose from. We have a small group on Flipster that are not available on Libby. “Willow & Sage” has some great homemade gift
ideas in their latest issue, including peppermint hot cocoa soap, chai bath melts and rosemary ginger foot soak, and “Real Simple” has some great tips for an easy Thanksgiving dinner. You can find links for both of these platforms on our
View from the Library W
hat a wonderful fall we have had. It looks like winter is going to try to settle in, which is the perfect time to curl up with your favorite cozy blanket, a warm cup of something yummy and a good book. Did you know that we 10 - November 9, 2022
View from the Library
Valley Journal
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the park we know and love today. The Alp Connection links the two locations forever.
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