William Gladstone Steel, the 'Father of Crater Lake National Park | Oregon Experience

William Gladstone Steel earned the title of "the Father of Crater Lake National Park" for his dedicated efforts to preserve the famous lake and the lands around it. An avid mountaineer, Steel founded the Mazamas climbing organization and proved instrumental in establishing the Cascade Range Reserve. His efforts led to millions of acres of protected forestlands and watersheds, but he was also an opportunistic entrepreneur who pushed for roads and development. Complex and controversial, he dedicated his life to the mountains of Oregon. Learn more https://www.opb.org/article/2023/05/2... For more stories like this visit OPB online at opb.org --- Oregon Public Broadcasting aims to elevate and amplify the community, connect Oregon and its neighbors, and illuminate a wider world through stories. OPB Every Day. OPB Everywhere. One way to support OPB and the work of public media is to subscribe to our channel for new OPB videos every month: https://www.youtube.com/opb?sub_confi... Member support makes all the videos on the OPB YouTube channel possible, and everything else you love. Ensure the next important story is covered and join in as a Sustainer now at https://give.opb.org/opb/?s=OAMEGNS22... #OPB #Oregon #PacificNorthWest #oregonexperience #craterlake #nationalpark #nationalparks #oregonhistory #Mazamas #cascades #volcano 0:00 The threat to public lands 1:01 Introducing William Steel 3:29 Obsession with Crater Lake 7:33 Early exploration 8:38 Forming mountain clubs 10:48 The Mazamas and publicity 13:02 Seeing the lake for the first time 14:54 Lobbying for national park status 16:51 Scientific exploration 18:19 Establishing the Cascade Reserve 22:28 Crater Lake becomes a park 23:57 Managing the park 26:40 Legacy of Judge Steel