Madrona Lodge

8 recommendations and reviews from 3 people

• Referral from July 10, 2016
  

  Robert T. asked:

  This photo of the Madrona Lodge was taken near my house. Does anyone know what direction this was taken from? Is this the front of the lodge? Does anyone have other photos of the Madrona Lodge?

  

  Bruce H. replied:

  Mike Sudduth is right about the location - so this photo is of the southwest and the front of the building - there is quite a bit about Madrona Lodge in the newspaper summaries Mike is doing on vashonhistory.com You can search these summaries and find who owned the Madrona Lodge at various times, what meals they served and who visited. Toodie Marie Blichfeldt is a good source of information - Toodie grew up in Elliport in the 1940 s and 1950 s when the Madrona Lodge was still there. Caryl Billingsley Bangsund would love to get scans of any photos you have.

  

  Shango L. replied:

  I Googled Madrona Lodge to find out more and came up empty. Anybody want to tell the story? And thanks if you do!

  

  Mike S. replied:

  I visited the Madrona Lodge in my youth. Family friends John and Marge Stewart owned it. The photo would be taken from the south side from SW 204 th and east of Chautauqua Beach road. The slope of the property is the key clue. There's a mobile home on the property where the Lodge once stood.

  

  Mike S. replied:

  (from a June 24, 1930 article) Madrona Lodge Has Changed Hands – After eighteen years under the same management Madrona Lodge, one of the Island institutions, has changed hands, when last week Mrs. Flora Pyle, the owner, leased, with option to buy, the property of J.W. Willliams, of Spokane. Many changes have taken place since Madrona Lodge, originally part of the old Chautauqua property was taken over by Mrs. Pyle, and her husband, who passed away some five years ago. Seven years after the property was purchased in 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Pyle had the original building torn down and built the Lodge as it now stands. Under their management, assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee, Madrona Lodge became one of the most favorably known summer resorts of the Northwest. Certain patrons, from all parts of the state, came year after year to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the establishment. With the death of her husband, then later the death of her son, Mrs. Pyle has found the burden of conducting the Lodge far too great, even with the capable help of Mrs. Lee, and has several times considered allowing it to go into other hands. It was not, however until last week that she fully decided to take the step. Madrona Lodge will be under the management of Mrs. Anna Dickson, sister of Mr. Williams, the new proprietor. Mrs. Dickson has had years of experience in catering to the public and anticipates continued success under the new conditions. The miniature golf course built by Don Parker has proven surprisingly popular and every effort will be made to attract patrons through its popularity, and excellence of the service of the entire establishment. (Vashon Island News-Record)

  

  Mike S. replied:

  Mr. and Mrs. Alex Stewart, Mrs. Smock and Fransu were guests at Madrona Lodge on Sunday. July 3, 1930 Vashon Island News-Record

  

  Mike S. replied:

  "The People’s Forum – Chautauqua – Ellisport – The recent flight of our Editor through a wee bit of Ellisport, called forth the cry – “beautiful for situation” – and I wondered, could that day have been rolled back thirty years, would he not have added – “joy of the whole – Island.” I wondered, did our Editor, so recently ours – know that “Madrona Lodge”, and its venerable trees overlook the same fair view today, that many years ago gave inspiration to art students of the first “Chautauqua of the Northwest”? Or that our shady paths are historic grounds where teachers and students from near and far, traced their way to and from the old Chautauqua hall which has guarded, all these years, the entrance to beautiful “Shady Dell”? For years, this bit of Vashon Island formed a charming rendezvous that drew the pioneer Island folk for community study and recreation. Intent on culture of mind and heart, happy in the free life of the woods, ignoring privations incident to a new country – they sought in study of “The Good, The True and The Beautiful” – the create an atmosphere that ennobles and gives strength to enjoy and endure whatever betide. The old land marks of that delightful time are fast vanishing. A few can yet be traced by old-time students, whose children like to hear the stories of “once upon a time.” They pick roses from the old overgrown vines and daisies that were sown long ago by the sweet lady of the silver hair. Some of the Chautauquans can yet be found – no longer young and fair – but few have lost the impress of their fine years of study and comradeship of The First Chautauqua of Puget Sound. – Parthenia." July 1, 1920 Vashon Island News-Record

  

  Mike S. replied:

  HISTORY OF ELLISPORT by Frances Scott Cliff – The history of Ellisport dates back to the year 1882 when four ministers, Messrs. Harrison, Ellis, Green and Banfield secured government patents, or in other words, “homesteaded” the land around Tramp Harbor bay and vicinity where Ellisport is situated. It is said that they, recognizing the salubrious climate and delightful location, had dreams of establishing a retired ministers’ retreat, or home for superannuated ministers. But as Puget Sound produces no superannuated ministers their dream never materialized. In 1884 they sold a part of their holdings to George H. Fuller and a little later to James M. McClintock. These men both brought their families and established permanent homes and their families have held property and resided here more or less during all the years since, and have always been identified with the activities of the town. In 1887 the Puget Sound Chautauqua Assembly association was organized, and to it was sold the land formerly owned by Messrs. Harrison, Green, McClintock and Fuller along about a mile of water front and “Chautauqua Beach” was platted for Chautauqua purposes. Many lots were sold and summer homes built, but there were also permanent homes established when the desirability of the location became better known, and although the Chautauqua Assembly association could not survive the hard times of the nineties, Chautauqua Beach continued to remain a favorite summer resort, and home town as its bathing beach, wonderful scenic beauties, sheltered location, and variegated forest charms cannot be surpassed anywhere in the world. The Chautauqua association left as one of its legacies its large assembly hall and also a water system. The first, after remaining a landmark for many years, became unsafe and was torn down recently. The water system has been entirely renewed by Fuller Bros. and now furnishes the purest of spring water to the entire town. The Fuller brothers, sons of the pioneer, George H. Fuller, also own and maintain a saw mill and thriving greenhouses on the land that their father secured so many years ago. The Chautauqua hotel has been remodeled and named Madrona Lodge and is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Pyle, and is open to the public during the summer months. A popular boarding house is also maintained by Mrs. Newman. Telephone service and electric light and power facilities are excellent. The Starr Mercantile Co. conducts the postoffice and carries a good stock of general merchandise, and the Furbush Co. deals in soft drinks, confectionery, cigars, etc. There is a Christian Science church and a Good Templars temple, the later dating back to Chautauqua days. It was built on one of the most slightly parts of the grounds. This has been in use ever since for the annual meetings of the state organization and is the summer Mecca of the band of Good Templars who have lived to see their efforts crowned by the conversion of a large part of the civilized world to their faith. An Improvement club, maintained by the men and the Ellisport Women’s club, are the business and social factors of the town, in which all the residents are interested. Some of the most attractive homes of the island are here. A picnic ground which is used by all the island as a place of recreation, a fine base ball park, which is being placed in first class condition, a tennis court, an ideal bathing beach, and beach fire sand spit, a sheltered lagoon, where children, large and small, may safely spend long summer days, wonderful woodland trails and an excellent auto road, are among the attractions of this natural fairy land. Several years ago the name, Chautauqua Beach, beloved by so many, was changed to Ellisport, and it is now a popular summer resort. Prominent among the residents who have stamped their individuality indelibly on the history of this locality are the Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Charles Pomeroy, who came from Des Moines, Iowa, and were early associated with the establishment and maintenance of the Chautauqua Assembly. They built their home near the Assembly hall and empowered it with roses, where they lived until they passed away within two years of one another, at a ripe old age, beloved and respected by their neighbors. Today all through the town flowers are blooming, offshoots from their garden, which speak eloquently of their generosity, and the daisies which may be seen along the pathways, were sowed by the gentle hands of Mrs. Pomeroy, who loved them so well. To many people, young and old, Ellisport is a land of sweet memories, as it has always been a favorite playground for children, and sweethearts galore have met and married from here, while old folk love its beauty and quiet shady dell, and the peace that passeth understanding, and the best neighbors in the world. June 22, 1923 Vashon Island News-Record

  

  Mike S. replied:

  "The Chautauqua hotel has been remodeled and named Madrona Lodge"

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