“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the Mount Charleston Lodge burned down this morning. Most importantly, none of our team members nor any members of the Mount Charleston community were harmed in the fire. The surrounding area and the cabins were both left untouched. We’d like to thank all the first responders who assisted with keeping everything contained this morning. The lodge was a beloved landmark, and we plan on rebuilding and recreating the atmosphere and charm that so many were able to enjoy throughout the years.”– Mount Charleston Lodge
Lee Canyon is an under-the-radar ski resort in Nevada, partially due to its next-door neighbor: Las Vegas. Located less than a thirty-minute drive away from the resort in the adjacent Kyle Canyon is the Mt. Charleston Lodge, a historic lodge that opened in 1957. The lodge featured a restaurant, and cabins surrounding it for overnight guests. Tragedy struck the lodge on Friday morning, as a fire from the dining room completely destroyed the main lodge that hosted their restaurant. There were no injuries or deaths from the fire. Luckily, the cabins were unaffected by the fire, and the owners are planning on rebuilding the structure. Also, the owners hosted a job fair for their displaced employees to help them manage while the reconstruction occurs. A news report from Fox 5 KVVU-TV about the disaster is below, along with drone footage of the fire from 8 News Now.
LODGE DESTROYED: AVI8TOR flew above what once was the historic Mt. Charleston Lodge. It captured the now ruined, but still beloved site. Owners of the lodge now say they plan to rebuild. #8NN
For the developing story click here: https://t.co/AueTpXBKfF pic.twitter.com/4p3N0j7DAf
— 8 News Now (@8NewsNow) September 17, 2021
According to KTNV Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston’s history goes way back to the 1900s. The lodge was originally built in 1905 by E.W. Griffith. The first iteration, the Charleston Park Lodge, opened to the public in 1915, consisting of a campground with tents and a had a restaurant with a kitchen. What drew tourists was the lodge’s location next to the twelve thousand foot mountain, Mount Charleston, the third-largest peak in the state of Nevada. The original lodge was burned by a fire in 1961 but was then reconstructed and reopened in 1966. Because of this history and iconic location, the lodge has been a community staple since its inception. Lee Canyon also reacted to the news on their social media accounts, which you can see below.
Image/Video Credits: Mount Charleston Lodge,8 News Now, Lee Canyon, Fox 5