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Henry E. Momyer

William Gladstone Steel was replaced as superintendent by H. E. Momyer who had been the first park ranger to be hired at Crater Lake some years before. Apparently, Mather named Momyer to serve as acting superintendent until a permanent superintendent could be found. Momyer served in this capacity for less than a year, covering the period from November 22, 1916, to August 1, 1917. In 1924, several years after leaving the park staff to establish a Klamath Falls branch office of the World Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, Momyer described his experiences:

I was appointed as Ranger in August 1907, I think, was the first Ranger, resigning [sic] in 1920, was appointed as Acting Supt when Mr Steel was appointed [sic] Commissioner [sic] Nov 24 1916, and served until Mr Sparrow was appointed July 25 1917.

During that time I was notified to send reports to Mr G.E. Goodwin, and think I sent one report to him but as he never was in the Park, and I never received [sic] any orders from him, never considered that he was Supt in any thing only name, as all mail came to me, part of the time addressed as Acting Supt, and part as Ranger in Charge, there was nothing particular happened during my administration, just regular routine business, so do not suppose I will figure very high in the Roll of Fame. . . . [Administrative History of Crater Lake NP]

William Arant and Henry Momyer, (seated left), Crater Lake National Park, 1908. Photograph was taken at time of rescue of Mrs. Coperthwaite and Anna Haight, who had become lost and spent the night in the woods near the Kerr Notch area. NPSHPC – CRLA – Dewey Huffman photo – HFC/91-17