Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

In Search of an Identity

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms In Search of an Identity 1872-1920	Number 2
In Search of an Identity (continued)

Alex Sparrow, superintendent at Crater Lake National Park, 1917-1923. Photograph was taken prior to receiving his new uniform in 1918. Courtesy of Oregon Historical Society #87191

In January 1918 Superintendent Alex Sparrow of Crater Lake ordered a new uniform through the director's office. "Please remind them that the Coat is to be the New and improved style adopted by the Park Service," he wrote. This was apparently the design developed during the national park conference in Washington a year earlier. An item not included on previous uniforms was the addition of N.P.S. in half-inch letters "worked on the collar with thread the same color as the buttons." [70] This was worked on the convertible collar so that it showed when the collar was worn in either mode. This is evidenced by the blueprint, photographs, and the existing 1919 coat in the Yellowstone collection. The letters were on the collar near and parallel to the outside edge.

The Bancroft Library photograph collection contains two photographs showing rangers at Yosemite wearing coats of this period. One of the photographs, undated but probably taken in 1917 or 1918, shows nine rangers wearing an assortment of coats portraying the latitude accorded the rangers at the time. The ranger on the left has a coat with pockets like the 1907 Forest Service pattern. Ranger Gaylar in the center has his collar buttoned up, military fashion, with what must be the letters N.P.S. stitched on the collar, as described above, or possibly a set of the N.P.S. insignia purchased by Supervisor Lewis in 1916. The remaining rangers all appear to be wearing the same style coat, although there are variations in the cut. This is odd because it is supposed that during this time all of Yosemite's ranger uniforms were being made by the same company. [71] It is possible, of course, that the differences represent options. They all have the pleated top pockets, but there are differences in the cut of the coat skirts, pockets, etc.

Another interesting feature is the badge worn by all but one. It is a very small badge, about the size of that later worn by park superintendents, while that on the third ranger from the left appears to be a large two-inch badge like those previously worn. It is not known at this time what the small badge looked like. The rangers in Yellowstone and Yosemite were issued this badge, but it is not known if any of the other parks received it.

Nine rangers, Yosemite National Park, c. 1917. This image shows the variety of cuts to uniform coats within the park even though all of the uniforms were supposed to be coming from the same manufacturer. Left to Right: (?); Forrest Townsley, chief ranger; (?); Billy Nelson; A. Jack Gaylar; Ansel Hall, chief naturalist; (?); Charles Adair; (?) Courtesy of the Bancroft Library/University of California

It is difficult to tell from the photograph, but there appears to be something on the collars of the rangers, probably the above-mentioned stitched N.P.S.

While all the rangers are wearing basically the same hat, each has his own blocking method. The hatbands appear to be of a lighter shade. Probably the grosgrain ribbon that came with the hat.

Another photograph from Yosemite shows Superintendent Lewis with eight of his rangers mounted on horses in 1918. Lewis is wearing a military cut coat, again with something applied to his collar. In this case, though, it is almost certainly a set of his N.P.S. insignia. Ranger Gaylar, third from left, has his collar open on his coat. This would probably date the previous photograph as being later, but not necessarily. The only badge in evidence is the one worn by Chief Ranger Forest Townsley, second from left.

Nine mounted rangers at Yosemite National Park, c. 1918. Claire Hodges (3rd from right) is the first woman to be hired to work as a ranger in a national park. Left to Right: Washington B. Lewis, superintendent; Forrest Townsley, chief ranger; Jack Gaylar; Lloyd; (?); Charlie Adair; Claire Marie Hodges, temporary ranger; Skelton; McNabb. NPSHPC - HFC/92-6

What really makes this image interesting is the appearance of Temporary Ranger Claire Marie Hodges, third from right. She was the first woman ranger and one of two women who filled ranger positions left vacant in 1918 by men going into the Army. Helene Wilson at Mount Rainier National Park was the other. While Miss Wilson basically worked at the main gate checking in traffic, Miss Hodges did actual ranger patrol. [72] Most early women in the parks were either guides or ranger-naturalists. From the photographs and lack of data to the contrary, it would appear that there were no uniform guidelines for female employees of the Service.

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