Wilderness Guardians

Inspired by the area's wildlife and grand vistas, conservationist Charles Sheldon spearheaded the movement to create Mt. McKinley National Park, and his vision became reality in 1917. Local Alaskan guide Harry Karstens, who warned in 1920 that without a warden there would soon be nothing left to protect, was hired as the park's first superintendent in 1921. Slow construction of the park road led to the building of several cabins near the route, first for summer road construction crews and later as relief cabins that gave rangers shelter while patrolling the park by dogsled and on snowshoes in all seasons and weather. In February 1928, Superintendent Karstens stressed the importance of enough cabins along the main trail to let rangers reach them in a day's travel, especially because winter freighting was often delayed by severe weather. In 1926, Rangers Grant Pearson and Al Winn inspected the newly constructed Sanctuary road cabin, admired its comforts, and joked about its unusual luxury. Sheep hunting had been prevalent before the park was created.

Healy, Alaska · United States