CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Visitation And Concessions Operations In Crater Lake National Park: 1916-Present

1. That the manager of the Crater Lake Hotel and Anna Springs Camp failed in the year 1919 and 1920 to furnish the guests with ample and proper food supplies.

2. That the Crater Lake management failed to furnish first-class accommodations to the traveling public.

3. That he failed to maintain and keep in good repair Crater Lake Lodge and other buildings in connection with the resort.

4. That the leasee failed to complete Crater Lake Lodge prior to 1915 and since that year.

5. That the windows of the hotel were not kept in proper adjustment.

6. That suitable and adequate toilet facilities were not provided.

7. That the toilet facilities existent were not properly cared for and were improperly arranged.

8. That sufficient porter and bell boy service was not provided.

9. That all of the bed rooms were not made available for the guests.

10. That proper and clean linen and bed coverings have not been provided.

11. That the bed rooms are not completely or well furnished.

12. That an adequate supply of water was not available at all times.

13. That a sufficient number of boats for the accommodation of the guests was not provided. That guests were not supplied with sufficient information regarding the use of such boats.

14. That the management of the resort was generally lax.

15. That at the time of the visit of the National Editorial Association in 1919 the visitors were compelled to sleep three and four in a room.

16. That fire escapes had not been provided.

17. That the lighting system obtaining at the hotel was wholly inadequate.

18. That the taxes due Klamath County by the leasee had not been paid for several years.

19. That the leasee is not and has not been able properly to finance his operations.

20. That fresh milk was not available for the use of guests. available.

21. That horses for the accommodation of tourists were not available.

22. That ice was not to be had at the Lodge during the summer season.

23. That the sale of souvenir, or Crater Lake novelties, was not pushed.

24. That visitors at the Lodge on and about the 4th of July of this year were not all served with meals.

25. That an existing outside fireplace was not properly sheltered from the wind.

26. That garage accommodations were not afforded the guests.

Regarding the accommodations and services provided by the Crater Lake Company, the committee noted that high costs, short seasons, and large crowds made it extremely difficult to bring park concession operations up to the standards desired by Parkhurst himself and others. The committee concluded its report with a sympathetic discussion of the plight facing Parkhurst:

Your Committee has carefully considered all the phases of the situation coming within its knowledge, has read letters of endorsement of Mr. Parkhurst’s treatment of his guests and of the general atmosphere at Crater Lake Lodge. Probably our greatest criticism may be directed against the toilet system which prevails at the hotel. We believe that Mr. Parkhurst had made a faithful and earnest effort to make Crater Lake Lodge a resort of merit and note and that he has in a measure met with success, as indicated by the increasing attendance at the resort since 1910. . . . We find that Mr. Parkhurst has received little or no cooperation from any source whatsoever, except banking accommodations. The National Park Service through the Superintendent of the Park has extended numerous small courtesies, but so far as we were able to ascertain the financial burden has been borne by Mr. Parkhurst alone.