Crater Lake Historic Resource Study

X. Construction of Government Buildings and Landscaping in Crater Lake National Park (continued)

J. Physical Changes from 1930 to 1931

Substantially aiding park development during this period was the growth of the budget under President Herbert Hoover. As more money came to the Park Service, more development was planned, and more architects and landscape architects were needed in the Landscape Division. The enlarged staff had no training in non-intrusive architecture; in the course of developing its expertise and plans of action, Thomas Vint became the controlling figure in the NPS rustic architecture program. He managed to achieve a good working relationship between the architects, who understood general building design, and the landscape men who were sensitive to the environment in which these buildings would be placed.

As the staff enlarged, parks in the west were organized into districts composed of one or more parks and monuments, with a landscape architect assigned to each district. Merel S. Sager worked primarily in the Pacific Coast parks, especially Sequoia, Lassen Volcanic, and Crater Lake. These field men generally prepared preliminary development plans, sometimes getting assistance from an architect in the San Francisco office, where final plans and specifications were usually prepared.

From 1928 to 1932 most building projects were basic park facilities, such as administration buildings, utility areas, employee housing, entrance kiosks, restrooms, information stations, interpretive shelters, or wilderness patrol cabins. These were facilities necessary for the control, supervision, and maintenance of an area. They had only practical functions, so all were planned without frills.

The 1931 season produced many important structures in western parks. From 1931 to 1932 Crater Lake was the scene of one of the most comprehensive rustic architecture programs ever undertaken by the National Park Service. [29] The area was part of Sager's field district, but because of the large-scale building program, he obtained help as needed from architects in the San Francisco office. Sager wanted high rustic quality in every building. Responding to local topographical and climatic conditions, Sager chose massive stone masonry as the central architectural theme at Crater Lake, and experimented with the use of wall stones of unprecendented size. He first attempted this type of construction on the Sinnott Memorial Museum (Bldg. #067) in 1930-31.

Of the approximately $32,500, slated for erection of buildings, landscaping, and installation of water systems during the season of 1930, $10,000 was to go toward erection of the Sinnott Memorial Building on Victor Rock. It was to measure forty by forty feet and be located on a cliff of rock about 100 feet below the rim. The outer walls would be rough rock to conform to the surrounding landscape. Inside walls would be cement finish with a ceiling supported by Log beams. A large observation platform in front of the building would be covered with a cantilever roof of log construction. A workroom, 12 x 14 feet, would be provided under the museum roof and be reached by a concealed stairway of rock. The structure was to be used as a museum and observation station for educational and scenic purposes. Money was authorized by Congress for its construction in memory of the late Oregon Congressman Nicholas J. Sinnott in honor of his service to the state and to Crater Lake National Park. [30] The Carnegie Corporation donated $5,000 for furnishing the building and installing equipment.

The Sinnott Memorial Building was dedicated on July 16, 1931, with impressive ceremonies attended by a large delegation of national, state, and National Park Service officials. The parapet was equipped later with high-powered field glasses, each one trained toward an outstanding geological feature, while inside the building were exhibit cases containing rock specimens and displays giving a complete history of the volcanic processes affecting Crater Lake and the surrounding area. [31]

A new mess hall and dormitory building (Bldg. #003) was also under construction by 1930. [32] The contract of Kisers (Inc.), which had been operating the photographic studio in the park, expired in 1930, and it was decided it would be unprofitable to continue the business. All the assets of the company, except for the building, were sold to the Crater Lake National Park Company, while the studio building and fixtures were ultimately used by the government as an information office and comfort and contact station. (Since 1962 it has been used as an exhibits building.)

In 1931 a medical and first aid service for visitors and employees in the park was inaugurated, with Dr. K.N. Miller, head of the University of Oregon Health Service, beginning his duties as park physician for the summer. First aid tents were set up to house patients being treated for minor injuries and illnesses. [33] At Government Camp that year were several permanent buildings plus large tents to house 120 laborers. About twenty other workmen housed at Lost Creek were engaged in pine beetle eradication. [34]

The Rim Village complex now consisted of the Crater Lake Lodge with twenty housekeeping cabins nearby, the Community House near the upper campgrounds, a large stone store building--a supply headquarters for the public--the cafeteria, the public information and ranger headquarters building (Kiser Studio), and the Sinnott Memorial Building.

Illustration 38. Sinnott Memorial Building, 1981. Photo by David Arbogast, NPS, DSC.

Illustration 39. Veranda of Sinnott Memorial Building, 1938. Courtesy Oregon Historical Society.

New construction during 1931 consisted of:

1. Employee's Cottage at Government Camp: four-room cabin with bath, of native stone with rustic-style superstructure and shake shingle roof. [35] Illustrations 42 and 43 (buildings #025 and #028) show the type of employee cottage constructed at Government Camp at this time. It was a two-story stone and frame structure measuring 18 x 28 feet inside. The walls and ceilings were lath and plaster, the outside woodwork was stained brown, and the roof was covered with sugar pine shakes stained green. Wood sash and swinging-type fly screens were used on all steel casement window openings. There was a large stone-finish fireplace in the living room and a large back porch. Rooms consisted of a living room, kitchen, back porch, bathroom, and two bedrooms.

Illustration 42. Building #025, stone housing area, 1981.

Illustration 43. Building #028, stone housing area, 1981. Photos by David Arbogast, NPS, DSC.

2. Addition to Utility Shed at Government Camp (Bldg. #005): addition 24 x 55 feet to existing utility shed in Utility Group at Government Camp. (Original shed used during the season as a temporary mechanic and blacksmith shop.) Completed building was 24 x 100 feet, with walls of native stone with wooden superstructure and shake shingle roof. Three dormer windows provided light on the second floor. Used for storage of government-owned equipment, supplies, and materials. One end was used as a temporary machine and repair shop. Ultimate plans called for two additional utility sheds similar to this one in the utility area and one combination utility shed and machine shop.

3. Comfort Station in Rim Campground: not quite completed by end of season. To be 24 x 12 feet of frame construction with log trim.

4. Headquarters Building: stone building with rustic

superstructure constructed at Government Camp. Being used by Bureau of Public Roads, Engineering Department. (The mess hall/dormitory building?)

Illustration 40. Mess hall and dormitory building at Government Camp, n.d. Courtesy Crater Lake National Park.

Illustration 41. Mess hall and dormitory building, 1981. Photo by David Arbogast, NPS, DSC.

5. Watchman Lookout Station (Bldg. #168): almost completed during season (finished in first part of 1932). First floor of stone; second, or lookout tower, entirely enclosed by glass. First floor occupied by museum for exhibit of fire-prevention data and also to be used as public comfort station and storeroom for water supply. Building at elevation of 8,025 feet. Miles of national forest area as well as park land could be viewed from here. Stone parapet constructed in front of building in 1932.

Illustration 44. Old fire lookout, The Watchman, n.d. Courtesy Crater Lake National Park.

Illustration 45. Mount Scott fire lookout, July 1958. A plan for a new fire lookout on Mount Scott had been approved by 1940. Revised plans for the structure in 1947 included the addition of a storage space under the building, a gutter to supply water to a storage tank under the lookout room, and more equipment, furnishings, and appliances. The new structure was built in 1952. Courtesy Crater Lake National Park.

Illustration 46. New Watchman fire lookout, n.d. Courtesy Crater Lake National Park.

6. Storeroom and Garage at Government Camp: not quite complete. Stone walls with rustic superstructure, conforming to other buildings in Government Camp utility area. Intended to house park fire truck and other fire equipment and hand tools. Storage and sleeping quarters for ranger on second floor. [36]

Also constructed during the 1931 season was a two-story, six-room seasonal employees' quarters at the old Diamond Lake Junction. According to park scrapbooks, this structure was demolished in May 1959. A 200,000-gallon reinforced concrete water storage reservoir was built on the slopes of Garfield Peak to provide for the needs of the rim area, replacing two wooden tanks. A rim parapet of native rock, extending beyond the lodge and serving both protective and ornamental functions, was also completed. [37] The North Entrance ranger station was built about eight miles from park headquarters at the junction of the rim and Diamond Lake roads. It measured 30 x 18 feet inside, and was a two-story stone and frame structure. One room was used for a ranger's office, and men's and women's public comfort stations were also provided. [38]