Squaw Valley in 1956 consisted of one chair lift, two rope tows, and a fifty-room lodge. Cushing presented the site as a blank canvas of unspoiled environment, where a world-class ski resort could be constructed. The obscurity of the location was underscored at the closing ceremonies of the 1956 Winter Olympics. Traditionally the mayor of the current host city passes a flag to the mayor of the next host city signalling the transfer of the Games. Since Squaw Valley was an unincorporated village it had no city government. John Garland, an IOC member from California, was asked to stand in and received the flag from the mayor of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
SquAW valleY In 1956 cOnSistED of one CHaIr lIft, two RoPe toWs, And a fifty-roOm loDGE. cushIng PreSenteD the site as a bLanK cANvas Of unsPoILeD envIRONmENt, wheRE a WOrLd-class ski resoRt cOulD BE ConsTrUCTed. thE obscurity of the locaTion was undERScored aT thE clOsiNg ceRemonIes of The 1956 wINter oLympics. tradiTionAlly tHe mayor oF the CUrrenT HOst cIty passes a fLaG to ThE mayor of thE NExT hOst cITY SigNAlliNg The tRaNsfer Of tHe GameS. SinCe squAW vallEY wAs An UNincorpoRated vilLagE It had NO ciTy goVernment. john gARLand, an iOc meMber From cAlifornia, was ASKED tO sTand In anD rEceivEd the Flag From the Mayor Of coRtiNa d'aMPezzo.