Fort Clatsop Administrative History

Robert E. Scott, 1974-1984

After only a year at Fort Clatsop, Miele accepted the position of superintendent at Oregon Caves National Monument in May 1974. His replacement was Robert Scott, who arrived at the memorial in July 1974. Fort Clatsop was Scott's first superintendency; he previously worked as the Kings Canyon District Ranger at Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Bob Scott would serve as superintendent of Fort Clatsop for ten years, the longest of any of the memorial's superintendents thus far.

The costumed demonstrations program continued to grow. Under Scott, the demonstrations program was defined as a "living history" program. Employment of an American Indian woman continued and an African-American man was recruited to portray William Clark's slave York. Demonstrations were third-person presentations. Off-site school programs through the "Ranger on the Road" program were successfully performed during the first half of Scott's superintendency until budget cuts temporarily curtailed the program in 1979. Also researched was the proper period American flag for use at the fort replica. The memorial contacted the U.S. Army archivist and the American Heraldry association for advice and it was determined that while no mention was made of the flag in the journals of the Expedition, they probably carried the military flag in use at the time. The interpretive staff continued to develop the scope and range of the demonstration programs.

Much of Scott's time and energy went into the reforestation efforts at the memorial. Working with Ross Petersen, more than 15,000 trees were planted over a ten-year period. Petersen and Scott established a small seed bed of tree species behind the maintenance shop for growing seedlings to transplant around the memorial as needed. Areas on both sides of the entrance road and along the west side of the county road were planted. Also, in attempting to re-create the environment of the 1805-1806 coastal forest, the removal of certain tree species and filling in with historically documented species was required. More specifically, alder, due primarily to the logging of the area in the mid-1800s, had spread inland from the Lewis and Clark River where Douglas fir, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce species were common. As new seedlings grew, the alder was thinned. Care was given to thinning and planting with little disturbance of the scenery

In public relations, one of Scott's tasks as superintendent was the acceptance on behalf of the NPS of the Salt Works site in Seaside. Scott's feelings about the site were similar to most in the Park Service who opposed the addition because it did not meet NPS standards and criteria. After the legislation was passed and signed into law, there was no choice but to incorporate the site and its management needs into the overall Fort Clatsop program. Scott negotiated an agreement with the Seaside Lions club to continue maintaining the site. Memorial staff began looking at the site to develop appropriate interpretive signs, markers, and landscaping. Scott also continued the memorial's opposition to the AMAX corporation, which finally chose an alternate site. Scott also assisted FCHA in its efforts to become more solvent by helping arrange a loan from the Crater Lake Natural History Association.

General maintenance needs continued to be met, including the maintenance of all park signs, grounds, and buildings. Most utility lines running to the memorial were buried to eliminate intrusion on the historic setting. Project requests for the visitor center rehabilitation continued and the park's master plan came up for review by the regional office in 1975. Park heating systems were converted from oil to natural gas as a cost-effective measure.

During 1982, the FCHA board and members of memorial staff began discussing possible projects to mark the 175th anniversary of the Expedition. Through these discussions, board member Bob Ellsberg introduced local artist Stan Wanlass to the group to discuss the possible creation of a commemorative piece. Out of these discussions evolved the idea for a life-size bronze statue for display at the memorial. Superintendent Scott supported the idea and the FCHA board began planning the project. Wanlass created a statue titled "Arrival" which featured Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, a Clatsop man, and Lewis' dog, Seaman. [8] A smaller version of the statue was cast for sale at the sales counter, as well as commemorative coins, and the funds raised used to pay for the life-size version to be placed at the memorial. The small casting of the statue continues to be sold today. Wanlass completed the clay model for the statue, working for a time in the visitor center lobby. The bronze was cast in Lehi, Utah. The completed statue was placed in the visitor center lobby with dedication ceremonies on September 9, 1983.

This project did incur some conflict. A member of the Pacific Northwest Regional office interpretive staff was against the incorporation of the statue in the memorial's interpretive exhibit hall. The questions raised by the staff member caused concern at the regional office, particularly over any financial obligation on the part of the NPS. The debate resulted in requesting approval from the Washington D.C. office although the project was already underway. Approval was given by Washington and the Regional Director, and the project was eventually completed.