A variety of physical improvements were carried out in the park during fiscal year 1920. One of the major projects consisted of cutting brush to a width of eight feet around the 65-mile park boundary. All trees in this strip were blazed on two sides. This was done to eliminate arguments with stockmen and poachers as to the exact location of the park boundary and to provide for a fire break around the park perimeter.
Improvements were also made to the Rim Campground. It was found necessary to enlarge the water reservoir at the rim. Thus, a third 5,000-gallon tank was installed in the tank house, providing an ample water supply for the campground for many years to come. Additional toilets were built at the Rim and Lost Creek campgrounds, and preparations were made to install toilets at the boat landing on the lake. [6]
A variety of park development projects were carried out in 1921 that were designed to enhance visitor enjoyment of the park. On August 25, 1921, the Scenic America Company, headed by Fred H. Kiser, erected a stone studio west of the lodge for the display of pictures and paintings of scenic features of the park. The structure was hailed as “a splendid addition to the rim village” that harmonized “perfectly with its surroundings.” Other improvements that year included construction of a new crib dock to which a raft or floating dock was attached at the boat landing on the lake, extension of water lines, and provision for better sanitation in the public campgrounds. A public comfort station, complete with toilet, lavatory, and shower bath facilities, was erected at the Rim Campground. The station was constructed of stone to harmonize with the lodge and Kiser Studio.
Provision was also made for warehouse/storage facilities in the park during 1921. The temporary warehouse, built during the construction of Rim Road two miles east of Wineglass, was moved to Wineglass Camp to store equipment during the winter. Another temporary building north of Llao Rock, also constructed during the Rim Road work, was moved to the Devils Backbone vicinity to be used for storing plows, scrapers, and similar equipment during the winter months.
The continuing efforts of Mather to have the federal and state governments improve the approach roads to the park from Medford, Klamath Falls, and Bend finally resulted in substantive action in 1921. Highways leading to the park, according to Sparrow, were “undergoing extensive reconstruction, or being relocated and entirely new roads, on better grades, being made.” The status of the entrance roads was:
WEST ENTRANCE
The road from Medford to the west entrance of the park, 69 miles has been greatly improved within the last year. Forty miles of this road has been surfaced with crushed rock, and with the exception of 6 miles will all have been relocated and reconstructed by the end of the present working season.
SOUTH ENTRANCE
Of the 50 miles of highway between Klamath Falls and the south entrance to the park, 20 miles have been macadamized within the last year, and the remaining 30 miles are being prepared for macadam or gravel.
EAST ENTRANCE
Construction work is underway on 40 miles of the 108 miles of highway between Bend and the east entrance to the park.
NORTH ENTRANCE
A 16-foot road has been constructed by the Forest Service from Diamond Lake to the north boundary of the park, and when the road building schedule of the State is completed this will be an important entrance to the park. [7]
