Fort Clatsop Administrative History

Paul F. Haertel, 1969-1973

Paul Haertel replaced Thomson as superintendent of Fort Clatsop. Haertel was previously the Paradise District Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park. Fort Clatsop was Haertel's first superintendent position, a promotion opportunity which prompted him to take the position.

As superintendent, Haertel had five priorities: 1) to work with the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation Committee and be able to communicate with them about the history of the Expedition; 2) to make good contacts with local community leaders and the state governor's office; 3) to work on developing a rehabilitation project for the visitor center; 4) to develop more living history demonstrations; and 5) to build up the maintenance staff and improve the maintenance shop. A top priority for Superintendent Haertel was to enhance the Park Service's image in the local community. [5]

Superintendent Haertel was able to fund the expansion of the maintenance shop (a 16' by 32' work space was added) and to refinish the interior of residence #3 (built by the NPS during site development). The picnic area was enlarged and landscaped and a split rail fence was installed around the spring site. A stone walkway was installed to the picnic area and wood chips were replaced on the interpretive trails between the memorial sites. All work was done by park staff.

In interpretation, Haertel hired Al Stonestreet to head interpretation after the transfer of Emmet Nichols. Emphasis was placed on the development of the costumed demonstration programs to include more than the flintlock weapons demonstration. Costumed rangers began presenting demonstrations hourly and covered the topics of weapons, tools, and clothing. Work began on furnishing the fort replica with items representative of the Expedition's supplies, specifically those in the captains' quarters. The demonstrations were also taken to area schools for presentation. Nineteen seventy-two also saw the memorial's one millionth visitor, who was greeted with gifts from the Fort Clatsop Historical Association and a cake.

In continuing relations with the Lewis and Clark historical community, Fort Clatsop, under Haertel's guidance, jointly sponsored a symposium on the Expedition with the Washington and Oregon state Lewis and Clark committees. The symposium was held at the memorial and an estimated 2,600 people participated over two days. [6] Two members of the Oregon Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail Foundation Committee, Robert Lange and Dr. Eldon Chuinard, assisted the memorial in the development of its interpretive programs, by presenting talks as guest speakers and by teaching new memorial seasonals Expedition history.

Two significant public relations issues developed during Haertel's superintendency. The first was the proposal by AMAX Corporation to build an aluminum reduction plant near the memorial. The corporation was considering several sites for the plant, including one near Astoria. The local community was divided on the issue, debating the need for jobs that the plant would bring to the community against the possible pollution risks. The memorial clearly saw the plant as an external threat and was opposed to its location. AMAX maintained that the plant would not produce any pollution detrimental to the memorial. A study completed by Oregon State University, commissioned by Northwest Aluminum, was completed in 1971 documenting fluorine plant levels prior to any plant operations. Fort Clatsop was one testing site for the study.

The second issue that Haertel confronted was the proposal by Dr. Chuinard that the Salt Works be added to the memorial. Chuinard was an ardent supporter of the memorial who provided technical assistance and Haertel worked hard to maintain a good relationship with him while at the same time presenting the NPS opposition to the site's inclusion.