Built from locally quarried limestone, the building that now houses Washington School Inn was constructed in 1889 at an approximate cost of $13,000 and served as one of the area’s three elementary schools from 1889 until 1931. It originally contained three large classrooms, all with sixteen foot ceilings and wood stoves for heat. When enrollment declined, the building was sold for $200 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It held VFW functions until 1950, after which it remained vacant and fell into disrepair. Purchased in 1983 by the O’Bryan’s of California, two years of major renovation restored the building and allowed it to reopen in 1985 as Washington School Inn.

I arrived at the inn mid-afternoon and was given a choice of a few different rooms, as there were several vacancies. Each room was unique and named after a former teacher from Washington School. After narrowing it down to a couple favorites, I settled into Rm. 250, named for Ms. Reese. Nestled into a second floor corner of the inn, the room looked out on the garden area and soaked in light through two windows. The cream and sage green tones were soothing and the back corner location nice and quiet.

It was my first visit to Park City and I was eager to check out the town, so I wasted no time parking the car and tossing my bags into my room. I set out on foot, taking a convenient staircase down a slope from Park Ave. to Main St., where I found a lengthy string of shops, galleries and restaurants housed in historic structures.

Formerly a mining town, the city originally went by the name “Parley’s Park,” after Parley Pratt, who operated a toll road between the area and Salt Lake Valley. Later expanded to “Parley’s Park City” and subsequently shortened to simply “Park City,” large fortunes were made from silver, as well as lead, gold and zinc. Exceptionally rich silver ore was discovered in 1872, leading to the establishment of the Ontario Mine, which George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst, purchased for the sum of 27,000. During its lifetime, the Ontario Mine would produce 50 million in revenue.

Park City has seen its share of difficulty over the years. The Great Fire of 1898 took out many of the town’s historic structures. Washington School Inn is one of the few buildings to be left undamaged. The advent of the new century brought additional disaster, with a tragic mining accident in 1902. Forty-four miners lost their lives as a result of a mine explosion and resulting poisonous gas.

The days of silver mining – as well as lead, gold and zinc mining – have been replaced by the lure of fresh powder and superior skiing. Home to the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City draws winter sport enthusiasts from all over the world.

After browsing stores and photographing a few buildings, I returned briefly to the inn for the appetizer hour that is offered to guests. A salmon mousse spread waited on the dining area’s buffet, along with crackers, fresh sliced cucumber and, for those with an afternoon sweet tooth, lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar. I hovered in a corner with historical background information on the inn while other guests sipped wine and munched on the spread of food.

At the suggestion of Jessica, the inn’s general manager, I decided to treat myself to dinner later at Chimayo, a local restaurant with rustic, southwestern décor and exceptional food. It was well worth the hour wait to get a table. The vegetable enchiladas I ordered were outstanding, made with homemade corn tortillas and stuffed with carrots, fennel, mushrooms and red and green peppers. Topped with cheese and spicy enchilada sauce and served with black beans, they made for a perfect meal. To add a few more carbs, fresh bread is served with Chef Bill White’s “bread oil,” a blend of jalapeno and anaheim peppers, garlic, cilantro, parmesan cheese, fresh lime juice, olive oil, salt and rice wine vinegar.

Chimayo offered the perfect combination of dining factors. The décor was engaging without being overdone. Red brick walls surrounded cozy, rustic booths. A wrought-iron chandelier held amber lighting. Small votive lights flickered on tables. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. And the service was excellent. It was not inexpensive, but it wasn’t beyond reach for the affluent visitors that Park City attracts. I rarely splurge for a nice restaurant when I travel, but this one was worth it.

Needless to say, I skipped dessert and took my time walking back to the inn. It was close to 9PM by now and activity along Main St. had thinned out. The air had just a hint of crispness to it, perfect for walking off a good meal. Bursts of music and laughter floated out into the evening from two side-by-side saloons. But most storefronts were closed or closing for the night, turning in to rest up for the next day.

To say that a night at Washington School Inn is comfortable would be an understatement. The bedding alone is so luxurious that the thread count is described on their website, room by room. It was with great difficulty that I pried myself out of bed in the morning in order to make it to breakfast, served on the main floor in a cozy dining area. Over an omelette and maple walnut roll, I contemplated the inn and the area.

There is so much to do in and around Park City that one night is barely enough to get a feel for the area, much less enjoy local activities. Hiking trails are abundant and well-described in maps at the inn’s front desk. Golfers will find numerous courses nearby. Bicyclists will be equally happy with their options. And in the winter a whole playground of powder opens up to host skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. A town lift carries passengers back and forth between the historic downtown activity and Park City Mountain Resort, offering not only access to recreation, but a magnificent view of the town and surrounding scenery.

In the midst of the affluence and activity that make Park City a popular destination, Washington School Inn offers a unique lodging option to the multitude of hotels, motels and condos in the area. Add to that proximity to Main St. and all the amenities the inn provides, it’s a perfect choice for visitors who want to soak up some historic ambiance, slumber like royalty and dream of the activity-filled day to follow.

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