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1920
October 1920 Largest earthquake in recorded history occurs at Crater Lake. Estimated to have been a magnitude 4.0 plus, it was before there were many seismometers in Oregon. “Sleepers wakened. Liquids disturbed, some spilled. Small unstable objects displaced or upset. Doors swing, close, open. Shutters, pictures move. Pendulum clocks stop, start, change rate,” it said of published reports. (MT October 30, 2013)
February 4 1920 PREDICTS OPENING CRATER LAKE BY JUNE THIS YEAR
If no more snow falls in the Crater Lake region the tourist season there will be open by June 1 and there will be forest fire fighting there by then, was the prediction uttered by Alex Sparrow, superintendent, who returned last night from a visit to the lake.
He states that there is only 3 1/2 feet of snow at the park headquarters and but a foot more at the rim of the lake, which is all old snow and packed down pretty hard, and is less than one-half the usual depth at this time of year.
It takes just seven days from here now to go to Crater Lake and return by way of Klamath Falls and Fort Klamath without losing a moment’s time. Superintendent Sparrow’s primary object in visiting the lake was to see that no one had swiped it during the winter season .Herman F. Brown, ranger who had been on duty since fall, was brought out, and his duties were assumed by the veteran ranger, H. E. Momyer, who will look after the park the rest of the winter season.
“If I kept one man there all during the winter season he would soon go clean bughouse with lonesomeness,” said Mr. Sparrow. Ranger Brown, the younger man is kept on duty in the hardest part of the winter, which is theoretically over by Feb. 1st, and Mr. Momyer is the sole guardian the rest of the winter season. (Mail Tribune)
1920 Will Steel relocates from Portland to Eugene, Oregon.
March 1920 Steel’s proposal of a road inside of the Rim, extending from the Lodge to Kerr Notch is officially abandoned by the Interior Department. Steel continues to push for the road and tunnel another 12 years.
April 1920 The McNary Bill for the inclusion of the Diamond Lake area within the boundaries of Crater Lake National Park passes the Senate. The bill is expected to pass the House unopposed. It does not pass.
June 1920 A Delco lighting plant is installed next to the Lodge.
Season 1920 Superintendent Sparrow reported in 1920 that during the tourist season the regular force consisted of one superintendent, one clerk and seven temporary rangers. Three rangers were stationed at the East, West and South Entrances, one at Anna Spring, one at Government Camp and two on patrol, fire protection and trails. [3]
July 13 1920 Parkhurst, Lodge operator, loses the Crater Lake franchise after eight stormy years.
July 14 1920 Nearly all Lodge employees quit because of poor working conditions.
August 4 1920 Miss Hildegarde Hillman, granddaughter of John Wesley Hillman, and John Hillman’s son, ride around the Lake on a “good road and in a comfortable, motor driven vehicle.” Her father’s name was George Waldo Hillman and her mother’s name was Maude L. Watson.
John Wesley Hillman (1832 – 1915) was one of 10 children. One of his brothers, Charles Fletcher Hillman (1835 – 1902) went off to Chile to build railroads. Information from Charles Hillman – the great grandfather of Charles related to Larry Smith.
August 22 1920 Albert Fall, Secretary of the Interior and Steve Mather, NPS Director, visit the Park.
August 24 1920 Mrs. Agnes H. Burns appointed the Park’s third Postmaster.
September 22 1920 Seven inches of snow falls at Crater Lake Lodge.
September 30 1920 “The Mail Tribune” reports that R.C. Maddock, boat tender at Crater Lake and experienced mountain man, is lost for 11 days in woods during a big storm.
1920 Grading of Rim Road completed. Total cost of $400,000.
Zane Grey writes article in “Country Gentleman” outlining his fishing experience at Crater Lake. Grey lamented the lack of fight by the trout. He concluded the crater of an extinct volcano was not a natural environment for fish.
“Fount of Aaron”, named by John Maben, because it apparently flows from solid rock as did the spring of Biblical times.
December 19 1920 A “Crater Lake Committee” appointed by Gov. Olcott details its findings about Parkhurst’s operation of the Lodge. They say that the guest rooms are not completely furnished. The lighting system is inadequate, the outside fireplace is not properly sheltered from the wind, and there is no garage. It is stated that the Lodge is weatherproof and is generally in good repair, but considerable money should be spent to improve the interior. The committee reports that the hotel does not have adequate pumping facilities and so has run short of water on several occasions. Laundry facilities are 85 miles away in Medford.
Season 1920 Visitation: 20,507
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