Craters of the Moon Historic Context Statements

National Park Service Management and Development, 1924-1942:
SUMMARY

Between 1924 and the late 1950s, the National Park Service developed Craters of the Moon National Monument to enhance the visitor experience and aid in the monument's administration. The development reflected many of the trends in Park Service history and design during these general phases. The first of these lasted several years, from 1924 to 1927, and represented the establishment of the monument's first headquarters compound, Cinderhurst Camp. This headquarters area was unplanned and represented the work, primarily, of the first custodian, Samuel A. Paisley. Nevertheless, the small number of structures, campground, and water source served well both the monument's management and its visitors during a period when visitation was relatively low and the Park Service was only in the initial stages of planning Craters of the Moon's development. A large part of that development philosophy originated at this time, since the agency envisioned the monument as a wayside for Yellowstone-bound travelers.

The wayside image influenced subsequent development of the monument between 1927 and World War II. In 1927, the Park Service created the first development plan for the monument, recommending a new location near the present campground, as a way to centralize its administration by combining monument administration buildings, a concession, and campground in one area. The 1927 plan also established that development should soften the monument's harsh appearance by catering to tourist comforts largely through the development of a concession, an adequate water supply, toilets, and more camp sites. Though not specifically stated, the structures and other man-made features in the monument resembled those log structures constructed in other national parks in the NPS Rustic style, and reflected the tenets of naturalistic design by the use of the village concept. The built environment evolved in the late 1920s and 1930s, benefiting greatly from New Deal emergency relief programs. By World War II, the monument's "rustic" image--its pioneer look and rugged appearance--seemed to harmonize well with the natural environment.

Reduced appropriations during the wars years and after disabled development efforts at the monument. Haphazard development and deteriorated structures characterized the scene until Mission 66. Between 1956 and 1961, the Park Service "renewed" the monument's development, eliminating most of the old structures, relocating the headquarters to a third site, and constructing new buildings--composed of more "modern" materials--and facilities for serving the public and managing the monument.