"Horace Albright's reply to applicants for park ranger jobs in Yellowstone in 1926."

 U.S. Army"Buffalo Soldiers" - pre-NPS park protectors

Today is the centennial anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service (NPS). We've evolved a lot this past century. Here is a reply from Horace Albright (1st NPS Superintendent of Yellowstone, and 2nd Director of the NPS) to Park Ranger applicants to Yellowstone 90-years ago:

 

early Ranger uniform

“Qualifications of a Ranger

Applicants for a ranger’s position must be 21 years of age or must attain that age by June 15th. If you are not 21, or will not be by June 15th, don’t apply. If you have the reputation of appearing unusually youthful or immature for a man of 21, don’t apply. We want men who are mature in appearance. We prefer men of 25 to 30 years of age.

The ranger is primarily a policeman, therefore he should be big in frame, tall, and of average weight for his age and height. We always prefer big men to small men, other conditions being equal. If you are small of stature, better not apply.

Clare Marie Hodges - Yosemite, 1917

The ranger comes more closely in contact with the visiting public than any other park officer, and he is the representative of the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the National Park Service and the Superintendent of the Park in dealing with the public. Naturally, therefore, the ranger must have a pleasing personality; he must be tactful, diplomatic, and courteous; he must be patient. If you are not possessed of such characteristics, please don’t apply. Without them you would become, if selected, a failure from the beginning of your service.

Ranger talk

The ranger is charged with the protection of the natural features of the Park, especially the forests. Applicants should present evidence of their having had experience in camping out in the woods. Forestry students who have had training in forestry work and forest fire fighting are given preference to other applicants if they possess the qualifications as to age, size, and personality.

Me at Tonto Nat'l Mon.

The ranger must know how to cook ordinary foods and must have experience in kitchen police. If you cannot cook and care for a ranger station, don’t apply. You would be an unpopular burden on your fellow rangers and the butt of all station jokes should you be selected without this essential qualification.

We want big mature men with fine personalities and experience in the out-of-doors in riding, camping, woodcraft, fighting fires, and similar activities.

Duties of A Ranger

The ranger force is the park police force, and is on duty night and day in the protection of the park. Protection work primarily relates to the care of the forests, the fish and game, the geyser and hot spring formations and the campgrounds. Of equal importance is the detection of violations of the speed rules. The ranger force is the information-supplying organization. The issuance of publications, answering of questions, lecturing, and guiding are all accomplished by rangers.”

Per George Robinson, Chief of NPS Education & Visitor Services (Retired).

Then

Now