BEST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Sperry Chalet, Glacier National Park — Local 1 Oregon/Washington/Idaho/Montana

Signatory Contractor: Anderson Masonry Inc.

Sperry Chalet was originally opened in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway. It is a National Historic Landmark and is used as a hotel for hikers and horseback tours. This striking building was devastated by the Sprague fire on August 31, 2017, leaving only the original stonework.

Due to the talented members of BAC Local 1 Oregon/Washington/ Idaho/Montana, the Sperry Chalet was reconstructed to return to its former glory.

Phase one started in 2018 with Dick Anderson Construction securing the stone walls to prepare for the heavy snow load that would soon settle over northwest Montana. Phase two started in June 2019 and was awarded to Anderson Masonry. Anderson Masonry began with the mammoth task of getting all the materials and men up to the 6,560 ft elevation. This was a task only a helicopter could accomplish. The project required masons to live on-site all summer, since a hike out of the wilderness took six hours.

After many trips transporting materials and members of BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT, the thermal shock from the fire had to be addressed. To ensure a safe interior environment free of falling debris, the Anderson Masonry crew used hand tools to remove “spalled” surfaces of stones which were damaged and loosened from superheating. Many surfaces had melted tar from the shingles cooked onto the faces of the gorgeous rock. Using hot pressurized water, BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ ID/MT members were able to effectively remove the stains and return the stone to the unique shades of reds, browns, greens, and grays. Lastly, masons repointed the mortar joints on the entire structure, as the original mortar was failing at the exterior joints.

As with the Sperry Chalet construction over 100 years ago, each stone was hand-selected from the nearby rockslide “quarry” and moved to the site. In 2019, the stones were transported 1,500 pounds at a time by helicopter to the construction scaffolding surrounding the walls.

Despite the difficulties, BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT members persevered. Their work on this once in a lifetime project delivered a national landmark that will stand the test of time as a testament to BAC expertise.