Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
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HISTORY
North Bend Ranger Paul Pieper, 1938.
Photo Credit: US Forest Service
The will of the people determines the direction of the Forest Service
The history of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has a vivid, colorful and spectacular past claiming over a century of caring for the land and serving the people. Our history is not without its controversy, shifting philosophies, policies or boundaries. Washington state citizens were outraged in 1897 when President Cleveland turned the eight million acres of forest into reserves, keeping them from cutting timber, mining, farming and grazing. Although later legislative action allowed for these activities, it shows how much public sentiment about land use has changed.
In 1905 the forest reserves became part of the newly formed United States Forest Service. “The forest reserves were established under the Department of Interior, but then transferred to the Department of Agriculture with Forester Gifford Pinchot in charge,” said Jan Hollenbeck, forest archaeologist and historian. Pinchot was America’s first forester, best known for the agency’s guiding slogan, “The greatest good, for the greatest number, over the long run.” Moving the Forest Service into the Department of Agriculture further defined its future purpose as sustainable use of the land versus preservation. The Bureau of Forestry was in Agriculture doing the scientific work, with the land administration in Interior. Pinchot convinced Roosevelt to move the lands to Agriculture under the new U.S. Forest Service with himself as chief. See Harold K. Steen, The U.S. Forest Service: A History and Pinchot's autobiography Breaking New Ground.
In the early years rangers watched over the forest, with their first duty to protect it from fire. Recruits withstood a three-day ordeal to apply for a Forest Service job in the 1900s, having to successfully complete such tasks as: “felling a tree 10 or more inches in diameter with an axe so that it drives a stake into the ground when it falls; tell the boss man what ingredients and how much of each to use in preparing a batch of biscuits; and, pack a horse with all the equipment and personal effects for five days while being timed,” according to a ranger’s letter in the forest’s archives.
In 1908 the Washington reserve was divided into two sections. From Canada south to the Skagit River, the Washington National Forest was established; and from the Skagit River to the Green River the Snoqualmie National Forest. In 1924 the Washington National Forest was renamed the Mt. Baker National Forest. Throughout the years Congress shifted boundaries while forests shifted districts. For example, the Darrington Ranger District moved from the Snoqualmie to the Mt. Baker in 1933, and absorbed the Monte Cristo Ranger District 50 years later. The Mt. Baker and Snoqualmie National Forests merged in 1973.
US Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 15 December 2008 at 12:57:19 EST