Leavenworth Transforms Itself into Popular Bavarian-Themed Tourist Attraction After Economic Decline
• Nestled in Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth had little Old World connection historically • After railroad re-routing and lumber mill closure, town started "Bavarianization" to attract tourists • Now a top Christmas destination, drawing millions of visitors yearly • Former boom town gone bust remade itself as German mountain village • Examines Leavenworth's transformation into a Bavarian attraction amidst alpine scenery