Organizational Structures of the NPS 1917 to 1985

Organizational Structure of the National Park Service - 1917 to 1985 - Administrative History

Organizational Charts

In the early years of the Service there were no formal organization charts developed. There were personnel listings from which it was possible to develop functional organizational layouts. This first chart depicts more how the six people in the organization related one to the other than it does to any headquarters function. As one begins to look at the organizational growth from 1917 to 1985, it might be well to consider the first and the last for a moment. The legislation that established the Service, approved on August 25, 1916 (39 Stat 535), authorized a Director to be paid at $4,500 per year, an Assistant Director to be paid $2,500 per year, a Chief Clerk to be paid $2,000 per year, a draftsman to be paid $1,800 per year, a messenger to be paid $600 per year, and additionally authorized other staff in Washington, DC at a cost not to exceed $8,100 per year. Total salary cost of the Washington Office by simple addition could not exceed $19,500. The first organization had six people. Compare in your mind these six people to 1985's approximately 825, and the $19,500 (expanded to allow for current inflation, this would be $270,000) to 1985's $29,568,000. As of August 25, 1916, 14 National Parks, 21 National Monuments, Hot Springs Reservation, and Casa Grande ruins were to be administered by the Service. One National Park and one Monument were added in 1917. Just this brief comparison will give one an indication of growth.

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