On April 26, 1941, the National Park Service let a new 20-year contract (covering the period from January 1, 1941 to December 31, 1960) to the Crater Lake National Park Company. Under the terms of the agreement the company was authorized to:
a. establish, maintain, and operate a general hotel, cabins, and a camping business
b. install and operate such visitor facilities as a general merchandise business, laundries, barber shops, Turkish and other baths, and other amusements
c. maintain and operate docks, wharves, boathouses, power boats, rowboats, and boating equipment
d. sell meals, snacks, toiletries, souvenirs, and fishing, boating, and camping supplies
e. establish, maintain, and operate a general transportation service in and in connection with the park
f. establish, maintain, and operate trail transportation facilities and services
g. establish, maintain, and operate garages, gasoline stations, blacksmith and machine shops, stables, and corrals
h. establish and maintain hot-houses and gardens, when specifically authorized
The company was required to pay an annual fee of $500 plus 22-1/2 percent of excess over a 6 percent profit margin. [46]
The company made a number of improvements to its facilities in 1941. Private toilets were added to the 22 sleeping cabins at the rim, and other exterior and interior improvements were made. Two four-room deluxe cabin units were constructed for which maid service was furnished Each room was equipped with hot and cold running water, electric lights, private toilet and shower, automatic thermostat-controlled hot water and heat, one double bed, and two half beds. Steps were taken to correct the lodge sewage disposal problem, since water samples at the rim had shown evidence of contamination. Lodge rooms continued to be refurnished, such work being completed by early 1942. [47]
Wartime conditions, together with tire and gasoline rationing, resulted in drastic reductions to park visitation during the war years. Statistics indicate that park visitation for these years was 100,079 in 1942, 28,637 in 1943, 42,385 in 1944, and 77,864 in 1945. Beginning on November 23, 1942, the park was closed from mid-November to late June each year as a result of budget and personnel reductions and inability of the park staff to provide snow removal and visitor safety services. The concessioner closed the lodge and other visitor services in 1943 and did not resume such operations for the remainder of the war. Limited meal service was provided in the park headquarters dining room operated under contract by the aforementioned Robert P. Berry. [48]
During the war Crater Lake was visited by large numbers of military personnel from Navy and Marine facilities at Klamath Falls and Camp White, a U.S. Army base at Medford. The automobile permit fee of $1.00 per car charged to all visitors was suspended for automobiles carrying members of the armed forces, and campground and other special privileges were made available to them. Whenever a group arrived at the park a member of the staff was assigned to assist in its visit. Special literature was printed for distribution to military personnel. Park records indicate that 35,514 members of the armed forces visited the park during the war, not counting the families and friends that accompanied them. [49]
