Twin Falls Tea House (officially the Twin Falls Tea House National Historic Site of Canada) is a rustic log building located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. It was built as a resting place for hikers and trail riders, situated near Twin Falls in the Little Yoho Valley at an elevation of approximately 1,800 metres (5,900 ft).
Construction and Architecture
The structure was built in three phases. The first section, a single-storey log cabin, was constructed around 1908 by either the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) or an associated outfitter as a rest station for tour groups, originally called the "Twin Falls Rest." A separate two-storey Swiss Chalet-style addition was built around 1923, and the two sections were linked between 1925 and 1928. The building is of peeled log construction in the rustic style, with unusually massive logs for its size. The addition's balcony offers a clear view of Twin Falls. The building has no running water or electricity; food is cooked on a wood-burning stove, lighting is provided by kerosene lamps, and sanitation is by outhouses. Firewood is delivered by helicopter to reduce trail impact.
History
The Tea House was operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway on a leasehold basis through the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. It closed in 1953 as rail tourism declined in favour of automobile travel. In 1954, the property was sold to Brewster and Ford Mountain Lodges Ltd., which reopened it in 1959. In 1969, Parks Canada proposed demolition due to poor repair and lack of utilities, but seasonal proprietor Fran Drummond, who had operated the Tea House since 1962, led a successful campaign to save it. She took over the lease in 1972, and repairs were carried out in the 1970s. The Tea House was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992 and underwent a $1 million renovation in 2005, partly funded by Heritage Canada. It is also classified as a "recognized" Federal Heritage Building. As of recent years, it has been managed by the Alpine Club of Canada as part of its hut network, available as an unstaffed, self-catered accommodation facility.
