Hamilton's Store, situated near Old Faithful and next door to the Old Faithful Inn, is full of…read moresouvenirs and memorabilia, has a soda fountain shop and is heaped with Yellowstone history!
If you're wanting to take home a souvenir that is locally or regionally crafted you can find your treasure here. Locally created pottery, artwork, Native American jewelry, and leather goods are just some of the quality products sold at Hamilton's.
Additionally, Pendleton clothing (ponchos, vest, jackets and shirts), outerwear, t-shirts, Stetson hats, baseball hats, scented candles, blankets, infant/children's clothing, postcards, and so much more.
I did not eat in the adjacent restaurant, so I can't speak to its quality.
The history behind this Rustic style store began in the late 1800's with H.E. Klamer, Klamer's Curios. Charles Ashworth Hamilton purchased the store, upon Klamer's death in 1915 for $20,000. Hamilton's Stores and Charles Hamilton's Yellowstone concession empire began.
Historical highlights:
*Hamilton had 12 stores in the Yellowstone National Park, and locals referred to this store as Lower Ham's.
*The "knotty porch" was created with Knobby Burl.
*Robert Reamer was the architect for The Old Faithful Inn and responsible for designing additions to Klamer's Curios.
*On the second floor, Charles Hamilton wallpapered his office with cancelled checked totaling over $1,000,000, hence the nickname "Million Dollar Room". The total in dollar amount is actually closer to 2 million according to Yellowstone Insider. Also, this fact is supposedly in Ripley Believe It or Not.
*The Million Dollar Room in Hamilton's Store is the only room in the store not changed through the years. The furniture, checks, and lighting fixture remain. Note the unique hanging lighting fixture in the posted photo.
*Thanks to a grant, The Million Dollar Room is undergoing preservation.
