<<
1968
1969
1970
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The NPS acquires the ownership of the Historic Crater Lake
Lodge, as the result of the Lodge Company relinquishing
ownership as a new 30 year concession contract is
renegotiated. The new contract is the longest concession
contract in the history of the National Park Service. As one
employee said, “The Lodge Company owners must have some powerful
friends high up in the government.” The NPS plans to tear down
the old lodge and build a new one in Munson Valley. The
conversion of the Steel Circle residents into lodges and motels
is being strongly considered in the Park’s Master Plan.
April
Elva Michael of Portland begins employment as Ranger Secretary
and Information Desk person.
June
Tom McDonough, long-term seasonal interp ranger begins his
career at CLNP. Tom works most summers as the lead seasonal. As
of 1997 Tom is still working summers.
June 23
The Klamath Falls Cluster Office is established, along with a
General Superintendent to oversee the management of Crater Lake
National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument, Lava Beds
National Monument, and John Day National Monument. Donald M.
Spalding is appointed as General Superintendent. Paul Larson,
Chief Ranger, becomes, the “area manager” of Crater Lake but
sometimes Paul is referred to as the “Acting
Superintendent”. This name crisis lasts for 13 months.
August 5
Corps of Army Engineers limnologist, Doug Larson, lowers a white
Secchi Disc (one meter in width), 45 meters down into the Lake,
establishing a World’s Record for temperate Lake visibility.
(See entries for: )
August 17
Tina Bassett, 14 years old of Grants Pass, Oregon, falls to her
death while short cutting the Cleetwood Lake Trail. Tina, the
daughter of a State Senator, was walking down to the boats with
an older woman. Upon hearing the boat engines running, Tina
expresses fear that the two of them might miss the boat. Tina
asks permission to hurry on ahead. Approaching two fisherman
ascending the trail, the girl inquires if there is a shortcut
down to the dock. One of the men suggests that she cut on down
along a rocky ridge directly above the dock. Soon after walking
out on the rocky ledge, Tina slips and falls to her death in
full view of the loaded Lake launch. An Oregon State Patrolman
is quickly to her side, administering first aid, but the girl
soon dies of a broken neck.
August 27
Second major car clout in Mazama Campground.
Summer
Ranger staff mans the summer Information Desk at Park
Headquarters until midnight for the first time. 24 hour Park
patrols are also instituted for the first time.
Fall
Old stone Fire Hall torn down in the Maintenance area. The 35
year old building sat next to the present Fire Hall. Some of the
stones were the size of a small car.
September 6
Hunter kills buck near Steel Circle, within full ear shot of
Park Headquarters. The hunter’s gun is confiscated and ends up
spending the night in jail. He thought that since he had passed
Park Headquarters, he was out of the Park.
September 9
Rescue of Ole Van, who was critically injured after falling into
Annie Creek Canyon while attempting to take a picture. Van sues
the Park, claiming that the bank on which he was standing gave
way.
September 11
Third major car clout in Mazama Campground. The total for the
season is over $4,400.
September 12
Man dies of heart attack in restroom behind the Cafeteria
Building.
Labor Day
A mother bear and her two cubs are destroyed by rangers near
Arant Point. The mother had become too dangerous and bold. Her
cubs were killed because they were too young to survive without
their mother.
October 24
A pickup camper rolls into Annie Creek Canyon killing the
driver, Cecil Armstrong, and critically injuring his
passenger. The passenger spends the night trapped in the canyon
before being rescued.
1969 Season
Annie Spring Campground closed after being used for over 100
years.
Season Visitation: 544,932
<<
1968
1969
1970
>>
