There was a lot hard work involved with the establishment of Lassen Volcanic National Park. If it was not for violent volcanic eruptions of Lassen Peak in 1914-15, the park might not have been established. In 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the law to create Lassen, for the most part it was in name only. Congress only allowed an  annual appropriation of $5,000 a year,. It should noted due World War I , Lassen never received a dime. To make matters worse the initial administration of Lassen was handled by Yosemite National Park officials.

Yet, Lassen Park advocates were a persistent bunch and they explored a variety of avenues. Take for instance in 1919, when former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt died, consideration was given to rename Lassen after Roosevelt. Not only would it be a memorial in his honor, but it was considered a venue to overcome its financial dilemma with Congress. On the face it was a worthy idea, but it never happened. By the mid-1920s, Lassen overcame the appropriations barrier, barely.

Tim