The development funded by the Great Northern Railway in Glacier National Park is unique in National Park architecture. The Great Northern, under directions from its President Louis Hill, chose a distinct architectural style--the Swiss Chalet--and constructed all of its development within the park in that style. The buildings that remain are one of the largest collections of Swiss chalet structures in the United States. Also, Hill's ideas for his railroad's development within the park was based on a European type of system where major resort hotels were linked with backcountry chalets by a system of hiking and riding trails. This system was the first of its kind in a national park. What remains of the system is still in use. On a regional level of significance, Hill's assistance in the construction of roads and trails in the park was a substantial contribution to the development of Glacier National Park.

Included in this Landmark nomination are the major remaining structures left from the Great Northern Railway developments within the boundaries of Glacier National Park: The Many Glacier Hotel, Sperry and Granite Park Chalets, and the Two Medicine Chalet (now the Two Medicine Store). The hotel is used seasonally as a major tourist hotel; Sperry and Granite Park Chalets are backcountry developments used seasonally by hikers and trail riders. The Two Medicine Store is open seasonally as a campers' store. Outside the park boundaries and thus outside the scope of this project are the Belton Chalets and railroad station at West Glacier and the Glacier Park Hotel complex and railroad station at East Glacier--all part of the same Great Northern story and excellent examples of chalet style architecture. Landmark status for these structures should be pursued. The Cut Bank, Goathaunt, Sunpoint, St Mary, Gunsight, Many Glacier Chalets and one of the Two Medicine Chalets no longer exist. - NPS