National Park
Administrative History
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Crater Lake National Park Administrative History |
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CHAPTER FIVE
General Administrative Considerations for Crater
Lake National Park: 1902-1916
A. SUPERINTENDENTS OF CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK: 1902-1916
During the period 1902-16 Crater Lake National Park had two superintendents who were in immediate charge of park operations, development, and planning. These two men left an indelible imprint on the early growth and development of the park as a result of their ideas, policies, and initiatives. The two men were William F. Arant (June 7, 1902-July 1, 1913) and William G. Steel (July 1, 1913-November 20, 1916), the aforementioned "Father of Crater Lake National Park." [1]
B. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK: 1902-1916
In accordance with the provisions of the park establishing act, the Department of the Interior issued rules and regulations for the park on August 27, 1902. Regulations were also drawn up governing the impoundment and disposition of loose livestock found within the park boundaries. [2]
With the growth and development of the park these regulations were revised and updated on June 10, 1908, and March 30, 1912. [3]
C. LAND ISSUES IN CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK: 1902-1916
At the time of the creation of the park there were fifteen land entries within its boundaries, totaling 2,395.33 acres. Twelve of these, incorporating 1,914.22 acres, were patented by 1908. Homestead entry No. 2415 (160 acres) of John Fitzgerald for S. 1/2 N. 1/2 of Sec. 17, T. 32 S., R. 7-1/2 E., was canceled by the General Land Office on November 13, 1908. Homestead entries Nos. 2620 and 2660 of John Wallace Dickey and Louis Stanosheck, totaling 321.11 acres, were canceled in 1909. Included in the total of 2,395.33 acres was a considerable portion of Homestead entry No. 2415 and timber land entries Nos. 2116 and 2120 (patented to Daniel M. and Arthur C. Griffith by 1908), which extended beyond the park boundary line. [4]
The title of the State of Oregon to school sections 16 and 36 within the park boundaries had been extinguished before the creation of the park by selection of other lieu lands. The only exception was a tract of 192.20 acres in the N. 1/2 of sec. 16, T. 32 S., R. 7-1/2 E., which was disposed of by the state to private parties by 1908. [5] (See the following maps showing land entries in the park in 1904 and 1906).
Annual Report of the Department of the Interior, 1904, I,
following p. 435.
Report of the Superintendent of Crater Lake National Park,
Oregon, to the Secretary of the Interior, 1906, following p. 12.
D. APPROPRIATIONS FOR CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK: 1902-1916
Appropriations for Crater Lake National Park remained small and barely adequate to maintain park operations during the 1902-16 period. Congress allocated annual sums of only $2,000 for fiscal years 1902, 1903, and 1904, thus forcing the park to operate at a bare minimum subsistence level without sufficient funds for necessary improvements or protection services. Appropriations for the park increased to $3,000 per year during 1905-07. After the park received an extraordinarily generous appropriation of $7,315 in 1908, annual appropriations for the years 1909-13 were again lowered to $3,000. [6]
The low level of appropriations prevented necessary development and effective administration and protection of the park. The lack of adequate park funding was a continuing source of irritation to Superintendents Arant and Steel. In September 1911, for instance, Arant reported on the needs of the park at the National Park Conference held in Yellowstone:
Now, referring again to the matter of appropriations for the Crater Lake National Park, I would say that with a sufficient amount appropriated for the purpose there would be no difficulty in maintaining a good administration over the affairs of the reserve. The appropriations that are made are for the protection and improvement of the park, but the funds provided are not sufficient for either the protection or the improvement. There has been no more than $3,000 appropriated any year excepting one, and that amount must cover every expense of the reserve, including all salaries as well as all other expenses.
The amount available for the roads, trails, and bridges in the park this year is $850. Exclusive of any consideration for the construction of new roads, there should be an appropriation of at least $20,000 for the proper protection of the reserve.
That, of course, would include the protection of the game; of the timber from forest fires, and other damages; the establishing of a sufficient number of ranger camps upon the lines of the park, and the maintaining a constant patrol throughout the reserve; the protection of the natural objects and curiosities in the park, and a general administration over all of the affairs of the reserve. [7]
During the nearly 4-1/2 years of Steel's superintendency, he pressed for increasing appropriations to provide for adequate administration and development of the park. Congress was more responsive than in earlier years, and appropriations increased from $3,000 in 1913 to $7,540 in 1914. The rising level of park funding continued in 1915 and 1916 with appropriations of $8,040 and $8,000 respectively. [8]
Appendix A5: Biographical Sketch of William F. Arant
Appendix B5: Rules and Regulations of the Crater Lake National Park, 1902
Appendix C5: General Regulations of June 10, 1908
Appendix D5: General Regulations of March 30, 1912
