J.S. Diller’s final geology report published with H.B. Patton.
April 19
Crater Lake National Park bill, with some “immaterial” amendments passes the House. (amendments include provisions for mining.) The bill was assisted through the House by President Roosevelt’s personal intervention. This victory climaxed a 17-year struggle by William Steel and the final passing of Thomas Tongue’s Park Bill. Supposedly Crater Lake is the only National Park where a U.S. President became personally involved in assisting with the passage of the legislation.
May 9
Crater Lake National Park bill passes the Senate, after a two week consideration, and needs only the President’s signature. The square shape of the Park was thought to be only temporary, with the Park’s true ecological boundaries to be dealt with at a later date. (See: 1980)
May 22
President Roosevelt signs a bill “establishing a pleasuring ground and a national park at Crater Lake, Oregon.” A few weeks later Congress votes $2,000 for protection and improvements. (May 22nd is the anniversary of the marriage of Will Steel’s parents.)
June 7
William F. Arant of Klamath Falls is appointed the park’s first superintendent with a salary of $900 with a horse expense account of $100.
October
Arant assumes duties as park superintend. He lives in a tent at Camp Arant near Annie Springs.
October 28
The new Annie Springs to the Rim road is surveyed at a cost of $158.
November 24
Plans are formed to place a 25 passenger steam launch on the lake.
