Opening of visitor's center on Mt. Rainier in 1966. Crowd of people at reception. The official opening took place on September 3, 1966, and drew many visitors and a host of dignitaries including Congressman Floyd Hicks, Director of the National Park Service George B. Hartzog, Jr., Tacoma City Manager David Rowlands, Pierce County Commissioner Harry Sprinker and Senator Henry M. Jackson. Senator Jackson, a principal speaker at the dedication, indicated that the facility was the largest of its kind in the federal parks system. The building at Paradise was circular and built of reinforced concrete with a pre-cast frame. 65-foot roof beams rested on Y-columns. It had a glassed-in third story observation deck. It was designed by George Wimberly of Honolulu who worked along with associate Gerald Allison of the Tacoma firm of McGuire & Muri. (TNT 9-4-66, p. 1-article; TNT 9-4-66 magazine, p. 8, p. 17-articles)
Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Receptions; Visitors' centers;