I went to Oregon 1872 with my parents at immediately began seeking the sunken lake I had read about in Kansas. For nine years this search continued, before I found anybody who at ever heard of it. There were no railroads, it was not until 1885 that I was successful in getting there. To me the first view was overwhelming. As I looked about, there were no claims of any sort on any of the land. A deep sense of personal responsibility overcame me and I determined to save it for future generations. How, I did not know, but the idea of the National Park appealed to me. A petition to the president was prepared, asking that ten townships to be withdrawn from the market, until the legislation could be secured for National Park, President Cleveland granted the petition. Senator Dolph introduced a bill in the Senate to create Crater Lake National Park. February 2,1888, the senator wrote to me that the opposition was overwhelming and suggested that the lands be given to Oregon for State Park. I objected and told him if such a bill was introduced, I would come to Washington and exert myself to the utmost to defeat it. Which had the effect of the senator dropping the entire matter, For 17 years I persisted and finally a bill passed both houses on May 22, 1902. President Roosevelt approved it and Crater Lake National Park was really on the map!
The present road from the hotel to the easterly side of the park, a distance of 13 miles to Kerr Notch, has numerous bad curves and two long, heavy grades. This road passes through a forest, out of sight of the lake, and uninteresting region and has no attractive features for strangers, except on the outlook, which is attainable elsewhere. No money should be spent in improving it, for the reason than it is a only a matter of time when a road will be built inside the Rim, from the hotel to the base of Kerr Notch, on a four percent grade, the distance of four miles instead of 13 as the old road. A tunnel should then be bored from the water to the rim road on a grade of five or six percent and the debris used to fill in along the shoreline, for parking, turning, boat houses, or other conveniences. At present less than 20 percent of visitors climb down to the water, but with such a road, the sick, the week and the halt will go, then take boats over the Lake in a daze of bewildering sensations, as they view the surroundings.
This is not all. There is probably not a spot on earth of equal size, that will thrill visitors equal to this. Long after the season opens, the Rim Road is closed, for the reason that back of the Watchman great ribbed riffs of snow remain, 40 or 50 feet deep, whereas if the road over that mountain was abandoned and a new one constructed directly in front of it, it would be possible to open the Rim Road with the beginning of the season, to say nothing of the thrill of passing directly above the Lake, 1500 feet, and yet with absolute safety, behind stone walls.
However, the crowning glory of the park will consist of an automobile road to the top of Mount Scott, 9000 feet high, from which one beholds Central Oregon, to the Pacific Ocean. Walls will encircle the summit, were 200 cars or more can Park with perfect safety and the occupants enjoy the entrancing thrills of mountain climbers with their hardships and dangers.
Then will come a road inside the Rim, near the water, crossing to Wizard Island and up to its crater and encircling it. There inspired thoughts of reverence for the God of Abraham will sing His praises and depart in peace, evermore also singing the praises of his wonderful lake and its environs.