The West Point Inn in Mill Valley, Marin County, United States | Inn

The West Point Inn in Mill Valley, California, United States, built at the railroad's westernmost point, hence the name, is the only surviving structure of the world-famous Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway. The name was later changed to Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway. With 281 turns and curves, it came to be known as the "Crookedest Railroad in the World".

The West Point Inn was built in 1904 by the railroad as a restaurant and stopover for passengers making connections with the stagecoach to Willow Camp (Stinson Beach) and Bolinas. In later years, after the stage line was discontinued, passengers making this winding journey up from central Mill Valley to the "Double Bow Knot" had the choice of connecting nearby with a gravity train down to Muir Woods or continuing on past the Inn to the Tavern at East Peak.

The original Inn was remodeled in 1916 by architect Henry A. Boese, at which time the front porch was added. In 1918 a small cabin was constructed near the Inn by Dr. Washingon Dodge of California, San Francisco, and by 1924 more rustic cabins had been added. During the period 1920 to 1924, Inn Keeper Martin Kliewe added the main lounge.

The West Point Inn was run as part of the railroad until 1930 at which time the line terminated operations and the Inn came under the jurisdiction of the Marin Municipal Water District. From 1930 until World War II, West Point Inn was leased to private caretakers as a public tavern but was abandoned as unprofitable during the war.

In 1943 the Marin Municipal Water District considered razing all the old buildings because, unattended, they were a fire hazard. Concerned citizens and members of hiking clubs then formed The West Point Inn Club to save the historic facility. For the next 34 years the club ran and maintained the Inn providing refreshments, picnic facilities, restrooms, and overnight accommodations to hikers.

In 1977, as a condition of lease renewal, the Club made the commitment to undertake major restoration of the historic Inn. New by-laws were adopted and in 1978 the name was changed to West Point Inn Association to more accurately describe the organization of approximately 200 volunteers dedicated to preservation and restoration of the Inn.

Several major projects and much refurbishing have been completed, but a great deal remains to be done. While members' dues and contributions, refreshments sales, and overnight use fees help with maintenence and operating costs, additional contributions of capital are needed for the on-going maintenance and restoration of the Inn.