Superintendent Anderson
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Frank H. Anderson Superintendent, 1954-1958
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Superintendent Frank H. Anderson's assignment to
Scotts Bluff was effective September 5, 1954. A native of New Jersey, he
had been stationed in Yellowstone National Park for about 24 years
previous to this.
It was during the summer and fall of 1954 that the
Frontier Broadcasting Company of Cheyenne, Wyoming began testing
facilities on the summit of the bluff. When these tests proved
satisfactory the company applied for a permit to construct a television
station and tower on the summit:
"KFBC-TV
Cheyenne, Wyoming
September 18, 1954
Mr. Conrad Wirth, Director
National Park Service
Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
This is to make application for permission to locate
the television station, Construction Permit for which was recently
granted by FCC, within the boundaries of Scotts Bluff National
Monument.
Our engineering studies have shown conclusively that
this is the only feasible location for the station, to serve the entire
community, known generally as the valley (Valley of the North Platte
River, in the vicinity of Scottsbluff, Nebraska).
Enclosed are various maps, narrative statements,
which will disclose how these conclusions were reached.
The population in the area to be served,
approximately 54,000 people, are presently without TV service, and the
proposed station would appear to be their only chance in the foreseeable
future to get service.
We would appreciate an early decision, so that
construction can be commenced in time to be completed before bad winter
weather sets in.
Any additional information requested will be
furnished immediately.
Very truly yours,
Frontier Broadcasting Company
By /s/ Win. C. Grove
Wm. C. Grove, Treas. [153]
This formal request started a storm of controversy
which raged until the late spring of 1955. Probably every person in the
North Platte Valley discussed the merits of such an undertaking.
Resolutions were passed by nearly every important organization in the
Gering-Scottsbluff area, either supporting the project or opposing it.
[154] That the advent of TV in the
valley was inevitable or that it would be a great benefit to viewers and
business was never questioned. The issue revolved around the use of
Monument lands for such a non-conforming structure.
Director Wirth answered this initial request on
October 1 denying it and advising location of the station and tower at
another location. [155] National Park
Service policy was outlined and reference was made to the establishment
Act of 1916. Other letters and requests were received from Senators,
Congressmen, and other officials. Mr. Wirth answered all of these,
explaining Service policy on such matters. [156]
However, due to the strenuous efforts of the Frontier
Broadcasting Company, with help from all of Wyoming's delegation to
Congress and the Governor, as well as from many local citizens and
various service and civic clubs and other groups, it was decided to hold
a public hearing in Washington on January 10, 1955. Superintendent
Anderson attended this meeting as did representatives of the
broadcasting company, several local citizens and business men (all of
whom favored the project), Congressman A. L. Miller, and Wyoming's
delegates.
During December 1954, field tests had been made by
local television sales concerns cooperating with Ranger Hackett. These
tests were conclusive in showing that an alternate site, some 10 miles
north of Scottsbluff, adjacent to State Highway 87, was much superior to
the proposed Monument site. [157] The
results of these tests were significant in the meeting of January 10 and
the National Park Service used them as an aid in again refusing the
application.
Director Wirth denied the application for a second
time on February 8, 1955. [158] Senator
O'Mahoney appealed this decision to the Department of the Interior, but
the Department upheld the Director's decision, [159] and the issue was closed. The
Frontier Broadcasting Company then accepted the alternate site as the
best place for their station and construction began there in May. [160]
When Ranger Hackett was transferred to the position
of Museum Curator at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis,
Missouri, in March 1956, it was decided to reinstate the title of
Historian for the single permanent uniformed employee for the Monument
under the Superintendent. Eli "Dan" Potts was selected for this position
from a list of Civil Service eligibles [161] and assumed his duties on June 11,
1956. [162] He remained at the Monument
for little more than one year before resigning to accept a teaching
position.
On June 20, 1956, the Oregon Trail Museum Association
was organized at Scotts Bluff. This association is a cooperating
organization with the National Park Service and offers various
publications, post cards, color slides, and other materials for sale in
the Visitor Center lobby. It is non-profit and uses its funds to assist
the Government with its library facilities, interpretative program, land
acquisition, and other educational activities at the area. It was
incorporated in March 1959. [163]
Before this time, the Rocky Mountain Nature
Association had operated a subsidiary sales counter in the lobby. These
sales started in June 1943, [164] and
continued until Scotts Bluff organized its own association. The first
sales item at the Monument was the 16-page information bulletin written
by Custodian Mattes in 1941. Sales started about the first of May in
1942. [165] When this booklet was out
of print, about 1955, Mr. Mattes completed a historical handbook which
was printed in December 1958 and went on sale almost immediately. This
handbook is the only official sales publication which deals with the
Monument.
On August 9, 1956, Chimney Rock was designated a
National Historic Site by the Secretary of the Interior. This famous
Oregon Trail landmark is located about 23 miles east of Scotts Bluff
near the town of Bayard. While the State of Nebraska owns the 83-acre
site, it is jointly administered by the town of Bayard, The Nebraska
State Historical Society, and the National Park Service. The
Superintendent of Scotts Bluff National Monument handles inquiries
concerning the site and provides advice on various interpretive matters.
The National Park Service prints the informational folder for the site,
prepared by Park Historian Harris, in 1957. The Site is undeveloped,
except for a small roadside picnic area built in 1961. The rock itself
is about 1-1/2 miles south of State Highway 92.
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