Last time I talked about the man who built the 1930’s chalet that can be
viewed on a short hike in Stoneham Maine (Hiking with some history and
mystery.) This week I would like to talk a little more about the
chalet itself, as well as, the goat barn. According to The Sun
Journal the chalet is owned by the developer Bob Bahre. The
property is part of 1700 acres that have been on the market for some time along
with an interest in the timeshare company Evergreen Inn.
Since Wilhelm’s death the chalet has been mostly vacant except for some
restoration in the 1970’s. Since the closing of the Evergreen
Valley ski area it has been unoccupied. The chalet was built to
replicate the style of a Swiss chalet and has five bedrooms each with a sink as
well as two bathrooms. The second floor has birch railings and
above the dining area hangs a wagon wheel chandelier. The
fireplace is made of rose quartz and has the year of the chalets birth, 1932
carved in granite.
The chalet boasted all the comforts of home when it was built and
probably was nicer than most. Wilhelm installed indoor plumbing,
heat was provided by forced hot air heat from a wood furnace and electricity
from hydropower from a local stream.
Part of the property also houses a large barn where Wilhelm raised his
cattle and goats. One of the more interesting facts that surrounds
this remarkable property is that the Green Berets used the barn for training
exercises during the 1970’s. The bunk beds they installed for
soldiers still remain in the barn.
The view from the front of the property allows visitors to see for
miles. The condition of the chalet is deteriorating and I
sincerely hope someone restores it before it is too late.
The
Lovell Historical Society has many photos that show the interior of the chalet
when Roy Wilhelm lived and worked there. You can see them at: http://lovellhistoricalsociety.org
