. . . all of which originated on the east coast during the latter part of the 19th century and rapidly
spread across the United States . . . the rugged de- signs popularized by the newly erected western re- sorts were
monumental in scale. Huge boulders, blocks and stone slabs were piled on top of one an- other as they soared
through open, multi-storied lobbies to pierce the ceilings and roof lines with equally massive chimneys.
A by-product of the Federally designat- ed National Parks, these magnificent re- sorts were as incredible as the
majestic landscapes surrounding them. Built to lure tourists -- and profits -- to these natural wonders at the
turn of the last century, many of these rustic, but beautiful resorts survive to this day!
One such resort is the Old Faithful Inn pictured below. Opened in 1904 in Yel- lowstone National Park, it
continues to operate more than a century later. In close proximity to its famous namesake geyser, it provides
an ideal location from which to view this natural wonder.
The interior lobby, pictured above right, is as magnificent as the building's exterior. Anchored by a massive
rock fireplace, its multiple open levels con- tain balustrades made of peeled logs and naturally formed branches.
A stun- ning combination of richly stained wood and rugged
natural stone
assembled in spectacular fashion, it epitomizes the joint creative and artistic potential of man and Mother
Nature!
Striking rock fireplace designs are not the exclusive domain of turn of the century resorts, however.
Magnifi- cent, albeit more modestly scaled stone hearths continue to be erected in rustic style homes throughout
the mountain regions of the western Unit- ed States.
The striking design pictured at right is a great example of a rock fireplace in a rustic style home. Crafted
from rela- tively large blocks of cut stone that soar to the ceiling, a timber mantel shelf echoes the beautiful
hand hewn timber framing and trusswork above.
The two designs pictured below, though placed in a corner to save space and optimize the viewing area in
each room, are massive in their own right. Crafted from river rock on the left and
fieldstone
on the right, the pictur- esque designs are warm and inviting.
The following two designs, also of river rock on the left and fieldstone on the right, are equally warm and
inviting. Each incorporates a rustic log mantel shelf that contrasts beautifully with its rugged stone
surround.
The incredible mantel shelf pictured below was crafted from two massive logs -- the lower one with an arch carved into it to echo the arch in the firebox opening beneath it. Held together by hand-wrought iron band- ing, the oversize mantel shelf is supported by two large log corbels on each end.
Each of the following stone hearth designs anchors the room it is in without overpowering it. On the left,
the stone fireplace surround is extended to include an arched door opening on either side and contrasts
beautifully with the hand hewn timber trusswork above. The stone fireplace surround on the right, though it
anchors the room and also ties in beautifully with the timber trusswork above, takes a subservient position to
the majestic mountain vis- ta framed by the floor to ceiling windows on the outer wall.
The following residential rock fireplace designs embody the ruggedness and perceived massing of the
magnificent stone hearths found in the turn of the century resorts in the western mountain regions. Crafted
from river rock on the left and huge stone slabs on the right, they exemplify the style of the Old West.
And finally, the rustic design pictured below is about as attention-grabbing as it gets! Though the overall
composition is only one story in height, the "walk-in" firebox framed by gigantic
granite
slabs gives the illusion of a much larger stone hearth design.
For more information about any of the rustic rock fireplace designs pictured here, please
let us know
and we'll be happy to provide it for you.
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