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1917
1918
1919
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April 6
Senator McNary of Oregon introduces bill in Congress attempting
to add 92,800 acres to Crater Lake National Park, around Diamond
Lake, Mt. Thielsen and Mt. Bailey.
May 22
In a letter to Horace Albright, Assistant Director, George
Goodwin, Civil Engineer, reports on Alfred Parkhurst’s Lodge
operation. Parkhurst was told that the food and service supplied
in the Hotel would have to be more satisfactory; and that if he
did not or could not do this, the Service would have to take
active measures to see that it was done.
Burros or saddle horses which are advertised as being available
for tourist use-These have never been furnished. Not only was
Mr. Parkhurst without gasoline for supplying the demand for
tourists, but was without gasoline for his own use. Mr.
Parkhurst agreed to have a drum of gasoline available at the two
Park boundaries to enable tourists to reach the hotel at Annie
Creek. The tenting area in connection with the hotel has not
been satisfactory, and sometimes last summer tourists went there
and Mr. Parkhurst seemed to discourage them and tried to have
them take rooms in the hotel instead. Mr. Parkhurst agreed to
move several tens from off the edge of the Rim so not to
interfere with hotel guests and hikers. Mr. Sparrow is going to
have to locate a definite parking area away from the rim, but
close to the hotel. People are parking everywhere creating a
dusty situation.
The sanitation conditions at the hotel have not been
satisfactory, sometimes owing to the failure of the water system
and not having enough water to flush the toilets. The sewage
from the hotel is discharged into an already overflowing
cesspool that has welled up and runs over the ground, making an
odor and unpleasant sight. A suitable fire has not been kept in
the fireplaces. With the abundance of wood and the large fine
fireplaces they should maintain a large cheery fire at all
times.
The grocery supply was so low that it was impossible for
tourists to get many of the necessities which they might
expect. Mr. Parkhurst agreed to keep a few bales of hay on hand
for the horses. Many times Mr. Parkhurst’s touring and stage
autos break down repeatedly subjecting the passengers to very
annoying delays. At times Parkhurst would load tourists in the
bus in Medford and run errands to the meat market and grocery.
There is considerable complaint that there being no one properly
qualified to make temporary repairs to cars in the vicinity of
the hotel. Repair work would be billed at $1.00 per hour.
The row boats on the Lake are not in suitable repair and not
enough to meet the demand. Parkhurst also agreed to make
vegetables and fruits available and supply a better quality of
meat and butter. At times Mr. Parkhurst becomes overwhelmed by
the details and thus fails to fulfill his promises.
Summer
6,000 acre fire burns in and around the Park. 18 miles of
well-constructed dirt roads are now found inside the park. Union
Peak Trail constructed. Major addition the Lodge begun.
July 9
Bill to enlarge Crater Lake Park held up in committee. Sheep men
object to its grazing exclusion.
August 28
In a letter to Cornelia Marvin, State Librarian, Will Steel
describes his place name work: For many years I have been
collecting newspaper clippings and other matter on the
significance of place names...I have a number of large, well
bound scrap books and a great amount of clippings in envelopes,
which are not classified...Federal officials...have placed at my
disposal, free of cost, a commodious office and large steel
vault in the Federal building of Medford, Oregon, for use in
classification and for safety.
My official duties as National Park Commissioner are such as to
require my presence in the Crater Lake National Park during the
Summer season, but, for the rest of the year I am free to go and
come as I please.
My salary is not sufficient to permit me to devote my time to
the work during the Winter, which I would like to do, but, I am
compelled to seek employment such as will bring an additional
income. I regret this exceedingly, as I am 64 years of age and
cannot expect many more years of activity, hence fear that my
long years of plodding will not result for which I have so
earnestly hoped. signed: Will Steel.
September 3
The “Rim Boulevard” completes its connection and the first
continuous trip around the Lake is made by Alex Sparrow in a
Park truck. A water system is installed at the Rim for public
use.
October
The grading of the new Rim Road is completed. The first car to
make the complete circle is a Ford, from Klamath Falls.
Season: 13,231 visitors
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1917
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