Lassen Volcanic National Park has a complex early history. Of course, funding was a barrier. Nearly a decade after the park’s inception, progress was made. Since the park was virgin territory, planners, such as George Goodwin, Civil Engineer of the National Park Service had a grandiose plans. There was a problem which I labeled it the three “S” dilemma. Many of key attractions inside the park boundary were privately owned, i.e. – Sifford of Drakesbad; Snell of Juniper Lake and Supan the Sulphur Works.
Access to the park was extremely limited. There were three stub roads-Drakesbad, Juniper Lake and the Sulphur Works. Goodwin initially proposed a highway through the entire park, that would also encompass the three private properties. It was noble idea, but it had a major flaw. The road development of the three “S” properties would increase their values making difficult for the park to acquire them.
There was a silver lining. Goodwin had negotiated with the Supan family and was able to secure of right-of-away through their property for one-dollar. Back to the drawing board for a park road. It was a scaled back grandiose plan from Goodwin. The route would be a north/south venue. The highlights were access to Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell. It should be noted before the Park’s Highway, the easiest way to access Bumpass Hell and Lassen Peak was via Drakesbad where one had to pay to entrance fee.