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1911
January 1911 Benjamin Heidel, U.S. highway engineer, Martin Erickson, Supervisor of the Crater National Forest and Harry Hicks of the Rogue River Valley University Club of Medford, set out for Crater Lake. “It is currently stated that no more than ten white persons have ever gone to Crater Lake in winter.” They start walking at Eagle Point because of deep slush on the roads. The group camps the night at a contractor’s camp at Flounce Rock. The third night is spent at Prospect. Only two trappers are found in the whole town. The great snow depth requires the use of snowshoes. Their fourth night is spent at Mill Creek Ranger Station. They spent the fifth night in 12 feet of snow, east of Union Creek. The 6th night is spent in relative comfort in the Superintendent’s house at Annie Spring and the seventh night is spent at the Rim Hotel, waiting out a raging storm. The party discovers Barkowski’s photography equipment, but no trace of the photographer is found. The three men sit out three days of gale force wind and falling snow. Finally, when the sun comes, the team is able to take the first winter photographs of the Lake. Their complete trip takes about 18 days. (Sunset, March, 1912)
February 22, 1911 “Photographer, B.B. Bakowski, of Oregon City, who left Ft. Klamath three weeks ago to secure photos of Crater lake in mid winter has been lost in the deep snows that now surround the Crater. Frank Burns and Albert Gipson started out to try and locate the missing adventurer. They found Bakowski’s sled and shovel one and half miles south of the Rim. His camera cases were found at the hotel, but his supplies were missing. Blizzard and gale raging for over three weeks, buried most clues to the man’s disappearance. His camp and supplies and a ten food snow tunnel were located, but not his body.”
The Mail Tribune
Medford, Oregon
May 16, 1976
By EVA HAMILTON
The snows that bury Crater Lake National Park in deep silence each winter have disclosed many secrets through the years when dissipated by the summer sun. But one remains unknown today despite the suns of 64 summers.
Shrouded in mystery is the fate of B. B. Bakowski, a photographer who sought to record the pristine beauty of the national park with its snow mantle in 1911. Extensive searches failed to locate the missing man although his campsite and supplies were eventually found.
Interest in the case was recently revived by Mrs. Howard Arant of Medford, grand daughter-in-law of W. F. Arant, first superintendent of Crater Lake National Park, and by a “Chronological History and Important Events Log of Crater Lake National Park.” The latter work was collected and edited by Larry Smith and Lloyd Smith, park employees, to “assist with the celebration of the National Park Centennial.” “It was revised in 1972.
A desire to preserve the photographs of Bakowski, treasured by the first superintendent, influenced Mrs. Arant to research the newspaper microfilm. The Smith chronology pinpointed the dates when stories of the photographer’s disappearance were printed.
Mrs. Arant expressed the hope that publication of the pictures might “stir a memory which would throw some light on the fate of such a fine young man who seemed to just drop out of sight.” She plans to give the pictures to the Southern Oregon Historical Society.
- F. Arant was superintendent of the national park from 1902 to 1913. Just one date, however, pertaining to the disappearance of Bakowski was found by Mrs. Arant among the superintendent’s souvenirs. A postcard from Bakowski is dated Feb. 2, 1910. The message reads: “Am sending you a few of my Crater Lake cards. In about a week – as soon as I catch up with my orders – I shall send you a whole lot of views. Most all we took are O.K.”
The photographer gave “West Side Boarding House, Klamath Falls,” as his address.
Two additional postcards in the superintendent’s files were obviously sent to him later by other persons. The photograph on one is of the young photographer relaxing in a woodland scene. On the card a J. M. Stephenso had written: “This is my favorite photo of Bakowski. He named it ‘Meditation.'”
The other postcard is illustrated with a picture of a campsite in the snow. The inscription reads: “Camp outfit of Bakowski who perished in Crater Lake.” The card was made by E. R. Pershin, commercial photographer, Klamath Falls. There is no personal comment to identify the man who stands viewing the deserted camp.
A studio photograph of Bakowski in the collection was taken by Libby of Spokane. Again, there is no comment and no date attached.
The first brief report of the missing man found in the Mail Tribune microfilm is dated Feb. 22, 1911. Under the headline: “Photographer Lost in Snows of Crater Lake,” the story notes: “According to the Fort Klamath correspondent of the Klamath Chronicle B. B. Bakowski, photographer of Oregon City, who left here three weeks ago to secure photos of Crater Lake in mid-winter has been lost in the deep snows that now surround the Crater.
“Last week Frank Burns and Albert Gipson started out to try and locate the mission adventurer,” the report continues. “They returned and reported having found Bakowski’s sled and shovel. The sled was found 1.5 miles this side of the rim of the crater. It was completely hidden under the snow that has fallen. All of the outfit that Bakowski had hauled in was missing.
“He had evidently taken his Kodak and other supplies off the sled and carried them to some other spot but where could not be located.”
The March 1 issue of the Mail Tribune carried another brief story starting that “Medford Explorers” had reached Crater Lake on snowshoes in the search for Bakowski. In the party were B. F. Heidel, engineer, M. L. Erickson, first supervisor, and Harry H. Hicks (Medford’s Dr. Cook.)
These men found Bakowski’s camera cases at the hotel building “on the rim of the lake, but his supplies, including bedding and food were missing,” according to the report. “This leads the men to the belief that he is still alive and probably camped on the other side of the lake,” the dispatch stated.
The following day, March 2, 1911, another dispatch, head-lined “Perished at Crater Lake,” appeared in the Mall Tribune with a Fort Klamath dateline.
It announced the return from Crater Lake of two searchers, T. S. White and H. E. Momger. They had found the photographer’s supplies and cameras but no trace of him and decided “he is undoubtedly dead.”
Near the place where they had located the sled on a previous trip they noticed that someone had been chopping wood, indicating that the man for whom they were searching had been camped somewhere in the neighborhood. Digging around in the snow they came upon a canvas stretched across the opening of a tunnel which extended through the snow to the ground 10 feet below, the newspaper report stated.
“Going into this tunnel they found Bakowski’s telescope and all of his supplies, including provisions. There were two comforters, shoes, socks, underwear, cap and extra clothing. At the mouth of the tunnel Bakowski’s pencil stuck in the snow.
“In the telescope there were papers and letters, including three from Miss Georgiana McKenzie of Spokane, Wash. One had been written December 27. Also found were some 60 unexposed films and three cases of exposed films and three cases of exposed films,” the newspaper account revealed.
“The camp appeared to have been occupied for two or possibly three nights and it is possible three nights and it is possible that he (Bakowski) was there but one night. Two green logs had been cut and taken into the tunnel,” the men were quoted as saying. “These logs were burned probably half in two. No cooking utensils were found.”
The finding of two cameras at the building at the rim, the searchers considered as proof that he had been there.
On March 3, 1911, the Mail Tribune carried still another story. It was headlined: “Gale raging Crater Lake. Blizzard has Prevailed for Past Three Weeks — Little Doubt but that Photographer Bakowski Perished – Probably Lost his Way.”
This story had a Feb. 27 dateline, “Crater Lake Lodge.” It identified Bakowski as a photographer from Burns, Ore., and stated that “Whether he plunged to his death over the snowy precipices of Crater Lake or was frozen to death in the blizzard which held the lake in its embrace for three weeks will probably not be known until the summer sun has melted away the huge drifts of snow.”
The story continued with: “For the past four days a searching party from Fort Klamath has been trying to locate the missing man, but only traces of his camp were found. The searchers have been assisted by Benjamin F. Heidel, M. L. Erickson and myself. We arrived at the lake Saturday evening.”
There is no byline on the story but the writer was probably Harry H. Hicks, listed in another dispatch as the third member of the Medford explorers.
The report continued with a description of conditions after stating that Bakowski left Fort Klamath alone five weeks earlier to secure winter scenes of the lake. He had provisions for a month, and left word for some one to come after him if he did not return.
“The searching parties have been greatly hampered by the severe blizzard which is raging at the lake. It is impossible to see over 200 yards ahead and snow is drifted many feet high. A high gale prevails,” the writer emphasized.
“The party from Fort Klamath gave up the search leaving the Medford party to continue it. [this portion of the sentence is illegible] alive,” the report concluded.
(The summer of 1910 and the winter of 1910-11 are recalled by many old timers as catastrophic seasons. Thousands of acres in the forests and were devastated by fires in summer. Blizzards derailed trains, marooning many and bringing death to some travelers.)
There are no references to the lost man in later important events listed in the Crater Lake chronology which covers the years from 1832 through 1972.
In 1970, a human skull was found in Crater Lake National Park but it was identified by U.S. Navy officials as that of Ens. Frank R. Lupo of Newark, N.J. He was lost in the wooded area at Crater Lake in 1945 when his plane, part of a flight from Pasco, Wash., to San Diego, crashed. The wrecked plane was found earlier but the name of the pilot was not released until the skeletal remains were found. The skull was identified by dental structure, the Navy told the press.
“Last week Frank Burns and Albert Gipson started out to try and locate the mission adventurer,” the report continues. “They returned and reported having found Bakow- [this portion of the sentence is illegible] doubtedly dead.”
Near the place where they had located the sled on a previous trip they had noticed that someone had been chopping wood, indicating that the man for whom they were searching had been camped somewhere in the neighborhood. Digging around in the snow they came upon a canvas stretched across the opening of a tunnel which extended through the snow to the ground 10 feet below, the newspaper report stated.
“Going into this tunnel they found Bakowski’s telescope and all of his supplies, including provisions. There were two comforters, shoes, socks, underwear, cap and extra … [the last sentence is illegible]
February 1911 Large, fancy log entrance gateways to be built at all park entrances.
June 21 1911 Mrs. Jessie B. Momyer appointed Park’s second postmaster.
July 20 1911 Eight men head for Crater Lake from Klamath Falls via automobile. Sixty mile trip takes 40 gallons of both gas and water, and 2 gallons of oil. (Gas was 47.5 cents per gallon.) The group claims the trip to Crater Lake as “the most wonderful motor trip in the world.” Crater Lake is one of only three National Parks that allow automobiles (Mt. Rainier and General Grant). Autos are only allowed to move between 6:30 to 10:30 and 3:30 to 6:30. The machine became stuck in a snow drift as it approached the Rim. Theirs was the third car of the season, first one to make it unaided. “Indian guides will take you near the Rim and await your return with their backs toward the mountains. (Sunset, Oct. 1911)
August 1911 Author, Jack London visits Crater Lake, driving a large spring wagon and four Mustang ponies – claims the Lake is the most beautiful sight he has ever seen in his world travels and lacks words on trying to describe it. “Incomparable in beauty.”
In the summer of 1911, Jack London, the famous author and outdoorsman, had never driven a horse team of any size, so how was he going to make a 1,500-mile trip from his California home to Oregon and back?
The automobile was definitely out. “We don’t mix with gasoline very well,” he said. “Being one of those lucky individuals who carries his office under his hat,” said Jack, “I should have to take a typewriter and a load of books along.” Saddlebags just wouldn’t work.
From their home to the California coast, their wagon route continued north through Eureka, Calif., to Bandon, where they turned inland toward Roseburg and then south through Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland.
“We did not camp,” said Charmian. “Jack had had enough roughing it to last out his life.”
Traveling about 30 miles a day, they stopped at farms or hotels. Before they left each morning, Jack would get up at 4:30 to write in longhand while Charmian typed nearby.
“I always endeavored to have his 10 pages of handwritten manuscript transcribed,” she said, “an average of two-and-a half typewritten, letter-size sheets.”
When Oregon reporters asked whether this was a business trip, Jack said no.
“My wife and I are simply enjoying our mid-life honeymoon.”
He told them he would always “have a soft spot” in his heart for Oregon. “Southern Oregon,” he said, “might be termed nature’s own garden.”
On Friday, Aug. 11, 1911, the trio rode into Medford. After resting for a day, they “left their ponies” in town and accepted a two-day automobile ride to Crater Lake.
“Of all the places we have visited,” said Jack, “Crater Lake stands out as the most distinctive and impressive. Crater Lake is something to think about, not to talk or write about.”
The honeymoon was over and the Londons returned home, but Oregon was now fully loaded in Jack’s pen. Bill Miller for the Mail Tribune – January 9, 2011.
August 4 1911 Government engineers report that the level of Crater Lake is rising at the rate of three inches yearly. They predict the lake will overflow in about 4,000 years.
August 31 1911 Site selected at Wineglass for new main park hotel. The location will only be 15 miles from the railroad, and will be built at a cost of $100,000.
August 31 1911 Masons are nearing completion on the stonework for the new Lodge. The walls are incomplete at the end of the season because of the time-consuming task of quarrying the rock and hauling it by wagon to the Rim. The origin of the rock shifted to the Annie Springs area because it was of better quality. 80% of the kitchen wing is complete and the stonework of the lobby and dining hall is finished.
1911 Three colonies of beaver and a herd of elk are introduced into the Park. Speed limit in the Park is 6 mph, not to exceed 15 mph. Cars are to honk on corners. Commercial annual auto permit – $10. 279 automobiles enter the park. Park opens in mid-July, the latest on record.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the next 6 years work on road building in the Park. A new Park access road is build along with the first unpaved Rim Drive.
Will Steel makes a journey to his boyhood home of Stafford, Ohio where he tours the old Steel family home. Since his family had been heavily involved as abolitionists in the Underground Railroad in Ohio, one could still view the four secret panels and the tunnel that connected to the Steel store. Will corresponded with several of John Brown’s children.
Will Steel spends the “entire winter in Washington importuning Congressmen for assistance. “It was by far the hardest fight of my life, but a bill was finally passed granting us $50,000 on account. Over $30,000 of this money has now been spent and the work is in full swing. The remainder will be spent as soon as it can be economically, and when the entire system is finished will have the most thrillingly beautiful automobile driveway on earth. I am here on another mission…in that I want a paved road built from Medford to the western entrance of the park, at a cost of nearly $2,000,000; and I expect to win.” Will Steel, from a speech given Jan. 3, 1917 to the National Parks Conference in Washington, D.C.
Of Steel’s trip to Washington, D.C., F.J. Clifford of Medford writes (from the S.O.H.S),” Using every cent of his own scanty savings and all that he could beg and borrow he grimly pressed his crusade, renting a room devoid of furnishings, sleeping on the floor wrapped in his blanket, he badgered, cajoled congressmen until they would hide when they saw him coming.
“Undaunted, he kept on through the winder and summer, trip after trip to Washington until at least with mission accomplished, he headed for Oregon and home with just 20 cents in his packet, five cents of this he stowed away in a vest pocket for safe keeping. The 15 cents went for three sandwiches that had to do him from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Oregon.
“Arriving at the Portland railroad station, hungry but happy, he was pleased but terribly upset to find his wife and small daughter there to meet him. Hurrying to her he excitedly asked: ‘Mamma, have you carfare home for you and Jean”” “Yes, I have,” she replied. “Good!” Will Steel exclaimed: “I have my carfare, too, right in my vest pocket. But I’ve also got $50,000 for Crater Lake National Park!’”
Season Visitation: 4,500 est.
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