History

 First photo of Crater Lake, Peter Britt 1874. Courtesy of NPS.

Crater Lake National Park has a fascinating history. Created by the explosion of Mt. Mazama 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake has long inspired reverence and wonder. The Klamaths kept the lake undiscovered by white explorers until 1853, and William Gladstone Steel devoted over thirty years to establishing the Park. In 1902, President Roosevelt signed legislation making Crater Lake America's 6th National Park.

Read the extensive National Parks Service Historic Resource Study of Crater Lake National Park.