The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center and the 1920 Paradise Guide House are also at this location.

The National Park Service moved the planned location to Paradise when the original financier, John Reese, backed away from the project.

The inn was built by the Rainier National Park Company, founded by Steven T. Mather, assistant to the Secretary of the Interior.

It was designed by RNPC architect Harlan Thomas and contained 100 rooms (85 with private baths).

[4][5] In 1931 a golf course was designed by Roy H. Dobell and built at the lodge and in 1936 a ski rope tow was installed.

[4] In 1942 to 1943 the US Army used the inn to house troops training for winter mountain conditions.

The Park Service considered demolishing the inn but relented after a public outcry.

Hans Fraehnke, a German-born carpenter created furniture from local materials for the inn including two 1,500 pound (680 kg) tables, a 14 feet (4 m) tall grandfather clock and a rustic piano which President Harry S. Truman played on during a visit to the inn in 1945.