The rockwork in the Administration Building demonstrates some points made in the 1935 NPS publication Park Structures and Facilities: “In high mountainous and forested regions the various structural elements of rustic construction — logs, timbers, rocks — must be reasonably overscaled to the structure itself to avoid being reasonably underscaled to surrounding trees and rough terrain. . . Rocks should be placed on their natural beds, the stratification or bedding planes horizontal, never vertical. Variety of size lends interest and results in a pattern far more pleasing than that produced by units of common or nearly common size. . . In walls the larger rocks should be used near the base, but by no means should smaller ones be used exclusively in the upper portions. Rather should a variety of sizes be common to the whole surface, the larger predominating at the base. Rock should be selected for its color and hardness.” More detail regarding what was considered good and bad rockwork of the period can be found in Audel’s Manual of Stone Masonry and Camp Stoves and Fireplaces, a 1937 U.S. Forest Service publication.
Use of large untrimmed boulders in buildings and park facilities continued after the completion of the Administration Building, particularly on the rim. The north entrance checking kiosk conformed “to the general architectural treatment of Crater Lake National Park buildings, being built of massive stone with steep shake roof” (Final Construction Report, 11/15/37). Boulders are used in Lange’s drawings as “seats” for the lighting standards proposed for the Rim Campground and drinking fountains that were placed at Rim Village (see DSC microfiche 106-3049 and 106-3057).
Probably the most convincing evidence concerning the size and type of rockwork preferred for Rim Village in the late 1930s is on a drawing of Lange’s for the comfort station on the plaza. It bears a note: “The best accepted method of stone construction as applied to the New Park Administration Building will also apply to this Comfort Station” (see CRLA Maintenance Division drawing 2001, March 1937). In his field report of November 1937, Lange comments on the construction of the comfort station by stating: “Exterior stone work was done by skilled stonemason John D. Bowdish and represents an excellent piece of work. The type of stone work on this building will serve as a basis for future stone construction on later Rim buildings.”
There should be no doubt that the NPS had established an “architectural treatment” for rockwork at Rim Village, and that this is linked to structures in Munson Valley. Subsequent rockwork (such as that on the 1970-1 additions to the cafeteria) is inappropriate as a model if the proposed interpretive center/hotel is to incorporate a rustic architecture theme in its exterior design. Serious reconsideration should also be given to the proposed removal of the comfort station on the plaza.
* Since this memo was written, a 1929 report (in FRC San Bruno) revealed that the original Messhall did contain largely quarried rock.
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