Resources 1984 – J. Physical Changes from 1930 to 1931

The Sinnott Memorial Building was dedicated on July 16, 1931, with impressive ceremonies attended by a large delegation of national, state, and National Park Service officials. The parapet was equipped later with high-powered field glasses, each one trained toward an outstanding geological feature, while inside the building were exhibit cases containing rock specimens and displays giving a complete history of the volcanic processes affecting Crater Lake and the surrounding area. [31]

A new mess hall and dormitory building (Bldg. #003) was also under construction by 1930. [32] The contract of Kisers (Inc.), which had been operating the photographic studio in the park, expired in 1930, and it was decided it would be unprofitable to continue the business. All the assets of the company, except for the building, were sold to the Crater Lake National Park Company, while the studio building and fixtures were ultimately used by the government as an information office and comfort and contact station. (Since 1962 it has been used as an exhibits building.)

In 1931 a medical and first aid service for visitors and employees in the park was inaugurated, with Dr. K.N. Miller, head of the University of Oregon Health Service, beginning his duties as park physician for the summer. First aid tents were set up to house patients being treated for minor injuries and illnesses. [33] At Government Camp that year were several permanent buildings plus large tents to house 120 laborers. About twenty other workmen housed at Lost Creek were engaged in pine beetle eradication. [34]

The Rim Village complex now consisted of the Crater Lake Lodge with twenty housekeeping cabins nearby, the Community House near the upper campgrounds, a large stone store building–a supply headquarters for the public–the cafeteria, the public information and ranger headquarters building (Kiser Studio), and the Sinnott Memorial Building.

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Illustration 38. Sinnott Memorial Building, 1981. Photo by David Arbogast, NPS, DSC.

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Illustration 39. Veranda of Sinnott Memorial Building, 1938. Courtesy Oregon Historical Society.

New construction during 1931 consisted of:

1. Employee’s Cottage at Government Camp: four-room cabin with bath, of native stone with rustic-style superstructure and shake shingle roof. [35]Illustrations 42 and 43 (buildings #025 and #028) show the type of employee cottage constructed at Government Camp at this time. It was a two-story stone and frame structure measuring 18 x 28 feet inside. The walls and ceilings were lath and plaster, the outside woodwork was stained brown, and the roof was covered with sugar pine shakes stained green. Wood sash and swinging-type fly screens were used on all steel casement window openings. There was a large stone-finish fireplace in the living room and a large back porch. Rooms consisted of a living room, kitchen, back porch, bathroom, and two bedrooms.