North Cascades

STEWARDSHIP OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN:
GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTH CASCADES

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE ERA

Rangers

USFS ranger at work, n.d.
(Callahan Collection, Seattle)

While the intentions and goals of the USFS were established at a national level, their policies were carried out at a local level by a protective organization of on-site guardians -- district forest rangers. In the area of today's park, the Skagit and Stehekin Ranger Districts played the most significant roles in fulfilling USFS policy and shaping the physical landscape. Both districts had numerous rangers over the years, with varying degrees of experience in forest resources and public communications.

The lineage of rangers working in the Skagit District until mid-century begins with Al Conrad who was employed between 1909 and 1915. Conrad was succeeded, by Thomas Thompson, whose 28-year reign in the upper Skagit valley is fondly remembered to this day. Tommy, as he was known, was well-liked by the community and a fine representative of the USFS:

As regards ability to meet Forest users, regardless of how high or low their position, or whether the subject in hand is one requiring strict enforcement of regulations or merely passing attention to a visitor, Mr. Thompson is in a class by himself. His methods of getting results under all circumstances are unexcelled and their fairness is reflected in the unusual esteem in which he is held by those who come in contact with him. [14]

After Thompson's retirement in 1943, Hubert O. Wilson became the Skagit District Ranger until his transfer to Bellingham in 1946. Walfred "Fritz" Moisio succeeded Wilson until 1953 when Frank E. Lewis became the new ranger.

To the east in the Stehekin District the USFS presence began with E.O. (Jack) Blankenship, who arrived in Stehekin in 1910 and worked until 1920. [15] George Wright was his successor until 1926 when he was replaced by R.L. Weeman. During his years of employment, Weeman was credited with "maintaining good relations with his public. While not large, they are correspondingly hard to handle." [16] Horace G. Cooper replaced Weeman in 1935, remaining for only one year. In 1936, Richard P. Bottcher came on for one year, followed by William O. Shambaugh in 1937 and Bob Foote in the 1940s. [17] Foote was the last forest ranger to work in the Stehekin District. With the incorporation of the Stehekin District into the Chelan District there was no longer a need for a ranger station uplake. All protective forces stationed in Stehekin were transferred elsewhere, leaving only buildings behind. [18]