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1916
1917
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January 2
Judge Steel is given special recognition by Stephen Mather for
his 17 year struggle to gain national park status for Crater
Lake, during the Proceedings of the National Parks Conference in
Washington, D.C. “Mr. Will G. Steel, who now has the dignified
title of judge, spent 17 years, ladies and gentlemen, in working
to procure for you and me and future generations the Crater Lake
National Park. Seventeen years; think of the man so devoted to a
cause that he will give the best years of his life and all the
money that he could earn and borrow to create a national
park. But he did.”
January 31
Small elk herd, from Yellowstone released in the Park. A month
later another herd is released after being captured in Eastern
Oregon. The Park’s herd consists of 15 Rocky Mountain Elk.
February 3
G.E. Goodwin appointed as acting superintendent.
April 15
Three-fourths of Crater Lake freezes over.
April 15
Telephone communication is established between the Lodge and
Annie Springs.
May 5
In a letter to Acting NPS Director Horace Albright, Harry
Rosenberg (of Harry & David’s fruit packing fame) of Medford
writes that the NPS is allowing thousands of acres of grass in
Crater Lake NP to go to waste and create a terrible fire
hazard. Rosenberg proposes “that this grass is capable of
supporting two thousand or more sheep with absolutely no harm to
the grass...Not a half dozen people visit these grassy plains
during the summer...I cannot understand a single reason why this
tract should not be used. I am quite aware that Mr. Will Steele
(sic) who is the present Supervisor of the Park--a fine old
gentleman--is opposed to the pasturing of any portion for
sentimental reasons since the Park is a hobby and “pet” with
him...Mr. Steele can see only a barron (sic) waste land after a
year of pasturing...Help to allow us to increase our herds, and
thus the meat production of the country...This
grassland...offers neither profit or enjoyment to anyone...”
May 6
William G. Carrol appointed as the Park’s new superintendent.
May 11
Responding to Mr. Rosenberg, Acting Director Albright responds,
“I have your letter of May 5 suggesting that Crater Lake
National Park be opened to the grazing of sheep during the
coming season. I regret, therefore, that it will not be possible
for the National Park Service to consider your application for
the privilege of grazing sheep in Crater Lake National Park.”
May 17
In a letter to Horace Albright, in Washington, D.C., Park
Superintendent Alex Sparrow suggests some changes to the “Big”
superintendent’s house at Annie Springs. “I would suggest
converting two rooms into an office and retaining two bed rooms
for myself and guests, turn the kitchen, dining room and two bed
rooms over to some person that could fill the bill. (provide
meals or a bed for guests). Have some one live in it that is
willing to feed me and any person I chose to entertain. Mrs.
Steel would not do this and could not if she would, she appears
to have a holy horror of anything that suggests of work. With
the exception of 1914 when her sister was clerk at headquarters,
she never remained in the park more than four or five weeks
during the season, and Mr. Steel must be where his family
is. Those were the conditions when he was Superintendent, and we
could not expect any more from him as Commissioner...I could get
a cook of my own, and let Mr. Steel have a bed room, provided he
did not ask me to feed his wife...the small cottage would be
available for Mr. Steel, if he should take a notion to visit the
park. For the short time that he is likely to remain there, it
sees to me that he should get a tent at the rim and live in it
or at the hotel.
I want to be reasonable with all concerned, especially Mr.
Steel, but I don’t feel justified in impairing the
administration of the park to make it comfortable for people who
did not live there when they were paid for doing so. Any
suggestions would be cheerfully carried out.
Men are scarce, and two of our prospective rangers have gone to
the ship yards. Am living in hopes of discovering a good man
among our temporary employees this season.
The price of pumps, engines and galvanized pipe has gone over
the top, and I doubt if we could get a pump and engine delivered
before winter. signed, Alex Sparrow.
May 28
In a letter addressed to Park Superintendent Alex Sparrow,
Assistant NPS Director, Horace Albright writes: “With further
reference to Mr. Steel, I would observe that it is probably your
duty to urge Mr. Steel to remain in the park during the entire
tourist season. Congress authorized the appointment of a
Commissioner to reside in the park in order to make it possible
to promptly punish violations of the rules and regulations and
to obviate the necessity of removing the offenders to points
outside of the park. If the purpose of the Crater Lake
Jurisdiction Act is not to be defeated Mr. Steel must remain in
the park through the season.
July
Horace Albright, acting director of the National Park Service,
visits the Park. J.F. Atkins and Lloyd Smith tack an American
flag to the Phantom Ship.
July 11
Salter Construction is awarded a contract for the construction
of two lodges, each 16 by 24 feet, to be begun by July 15. One
lodge will be located at White Horse and the second will be
placed at the Pinnacles. Because of early snow melt, these two
areas will be available to Park visitors much earlier than the
present accommodations at higher elevations.
August 1
H.E. Momyer officially vacates the office of superintendent.
August 2
Alex Sparrow appointed Superintendent of the Park.
August 19
The Portland Chamber of Commerce says that the Lodge should not
be confused with an elaborate hotel of the summer resort
variety. They say the building has 54 rooms, some with hot and
cold water.
Summer
Dr. Bush, “Lady of the Woods” sculptor claims the distinction of
being the first white man to camp over-night on Wizard
Island. (Claim is unfounded)
The Lake Trail (Sparrow Trail), located between the Lodge and
Garfield, and the Garfield Peak Trail are extensively rebuilt
during the summer season. Superintendent Sparrow rides his horse
to the top of and the bottom of both trails. It starts on the
north side of the Lodge and is called the Lake Trail. The Trail
is 1.25 miles long with a 15 percent grade. The Watchman Trail
is built.
October 1 thru 19
Lady of the Woods carved by Dr. Ralph Bush, a doctor with the
Rim road construction and survey crew. The man-created work of
art is Dr. Bush’s desire for fulfillment: “The statue represents
my offering to the forest, my interpretation of its stillness
and response, its beauty, fascination and unseen life. Deep love
of this virgin wilderness fastened itself upon me and remains to
this day.” Name by Fred Kiser, photographer who built a photo
studio on the Rim now being used a the Park’s Visitor Center.
October 17
Superintendent Alex Sparrow, rides his horse “Imp” down the
Sparrow Lake Trail, below the Lodge. The first horse to reach
the shores of Crater Lake.
1917 Season
State of Oregon relinquishes all jurisdiction in the Park. West
Rim Road graded to Llao Rock and the East Rim Road is graded to
The Wine Glass. Chief “powder monkey” Turner is
killed while
blasting for the Rim road. A small charge miss fires.
Superintendent’s Report: “There have been no wild flowers in the
park since it was established. The sheep that ranged over this
area before the park was established, utterly destroyed the wild
flowers Wild animals are now more numerous and the wild flowers
are returning.”
The West Entrance Ranger State is built for $933.50. Sentinel
Rock area proposed as a site for a new Lodge.
Season: 12,042 visitors.
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1916
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