As a result of these improvements and services, Park Service officials believed the quality of the visitors’ experience at Crater Lake would be enhanced. It was stated:
When the visitor of 1966 visits Crater Lake National Park, he will meet the same pleasant and courteous treatment he encounters today, but he will find new and better services, better facilities and better accommodations. Complete information will be easily available to assist him in planning his stay at Crater Lake, regardless of his particular interest. He will have a maximum of freedom of action, consistent with park ideals. He will find Crater Lake little different than the Crater Lake John Wesley Hillman found in 1853, except there will be facilities for his comfort, his safety and his complete enjoyment. [53]
Mission 66 construction was commenced at Crater Lake in September 1956. A contract was let to the W.H. Conrad Company of Medford to construct the new Mazama Campground one-fourth-mile south of the junction of the west and south entrance roads. In addition the contract provided for development of water and sewer systems at Annie Spring and layout of new roads, trails, and walkways in the park headquarters and residential areas. [54]
Numerous development projects were carried out at Crater Lake under the Mission 66 program during 1957-59. Six picnic sites along Rim Road with a total of 21 picnic tables and 12 pit toilets were completed. The Garfield Peak and Discovery Point trails were reconstructed, and an encasement for Annie Spring was completed. The sewer and water systems were improved at park headquarters and Annie Spring, respectively, and various construction projects were completed at Annie Spring, including erection of a checking station, layout of a new parking area, and realignment of the south and west entrance road intersection. Improvements were made to Munson Spring, and two comfort stations were constructed at Mazama Campground as well as a checking station at Annie Spring. The headquarters utility area was paved, and covered entrances were added to the Administration Building and rim comfort station. Employee residences (one 4-unit and one 2-unit) were completed at Munson Valley, and a new fire alarm system was installed in the park headquarters area. The Rim Campground was redeveloped, and a new gasoline service station and employee dormitory was constructed for the Standard Oil Company of California. The new station was opened in August 1958, the former station being razed and the site landscaped. The California-Oregon Power Company constructed a new section of power line between Annie Spring and park headquarters to ensure better continuity of service. Subsequently, a power line was extended to the Mazama Campground. [55]
The Mission 66 program continued to provide major appropriations for improvements at Crater Lake during the early 1960s. In 1960, for instance, the three principal park campgrounds were improved by adding 89 new campsites and renovating roads, tables, fireplaces, and sanitary facilities at the existing sites. That same year the Cleetwood Cove Trail from the rim to the lake was completed and opened for public use. The new trail was a much improved standard alignment compared with the former trail from the vicinity of the lodge. [56] During 1961-62 six miles of roadway between Annie Spring and the rim were reconstructed and treated with bituminous surfacing. Improvements to Mazama Campground during the summer of 1962 included completion of an electrical system, addition of 56 camping sites, and opening of a 750-seat amphitheater. That summer a parking area for the lake trail was paved, improvements were made to the Sinnott Memorial, and the water system at park headquarters was expanded to include a 150,000-gallon water reservoir, assuring an adequate domestic supply and building fire protection. Six rock pedestals at the Watchman were constructed for interpretive markers. [57]
In his annual report for fiscal year 1963 Superintendent Yeager observed that “construction projects underway at the close of the 1963 fiscal year were greater than for any previous year.” The projects included reconstruction of 10.5 miles of the south entrance road and construction of three duplex residences (6 living units), a shop and equipment storage building, and a community school building. the structures were occupied during the winter of 1963-64, Interpretive roadside markers were constructed and installed. These included 26 interpretive markers at 18 locations, 21 being routed plastic signs on stone bases and 3 being routed wooden signs. Some 20 smaller signs denoting elevations and other items of interest were also completed. Fifty-four camp sites were added to Mazama Campground and a trail to the new amphitheater was completed. A 100-automobile parking area was laid out at the head of Cleetwood Cove Trail. [58]
In October 1965 the National Park Service contracted to have a new sewer system installed in the park. The new system was to replace a septic tank system which had a drain field in the east canyon of the park. The new sewer system was placed underground across the water catchment basin which fed Munson Springs, the source for the Crater Lake water system. Three manholes were placed in the system with what were later reported to be “insecure manhole covers.” The location of this system would later be blamed for the water contamination crisis that closed the park for three weeks during the summer of 1975. [59]
