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Lassen Volcanic was established as a national park 09 Aug 1916 because
of its significance as an active volcanic landscape. Lassen Peak began erupting
in 1914, had the most significant activity in 1915, and had minor activity
until 1921. All four types of volcanoes in the world are found in Lassen's
106,000 acres.
By the early 1900s local sentiment was building for the protection of Lassen
Peak and Cinder Cone against commercial developement. In 1906 petitions
from both Lassen and Plumas counties urged President Theodore Roosevelt
to set aside the most significant features in the Lassen park are as national
monuments. These recommendations eventually reached the desks of President
Roosevelt, and on May 6, 1907, they were signed by the President. Lassen
Peak and Cinder Cone became national monuments. While the Forest Service
continued to manage the new sites, located within the Lassen National Forest,
these two monuments formed the nucleus of the future park and gave recognition
to Lassen Peak anc Cinder Cone as striking examples of volcanic activity.
The startling eruptions of Lassen Peak in 1914 and 1915 attracted national
attention and stimulated local efforts to expand the origional monument
into a national park. On August 9,1916, the US Congress passed a bill establishing
Lassen Volcanic National Park, and President Woodrow Wilson then signed
it into law. |
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