Sinnott Memorial Lookout

Ricky & Michael look at the many signs and displays at Sinnott Memorial Lookout.

The Sinnott Memorial was built over Victor Rock, a popular lake viewing site. It was constructed of large rocks that united with the caldera wall and was a prototype of rustic architecture in the national park system. It has been used as a museum, a contact station, and a viewing point.

The Nicholas J. Sinnott Memorial Observation Station and Museum was built with a $10,000 appropriation made by Congress on July 1, 1930. Sinnott had been a member of the House of Representatives from Oregon during 1913-28 and as chairman of the Committee on Public Lands from 1919-29 had been a strong supporter of Crater Lake National Park. He died in 1929. The Sinnott Memorial is significant since it was the first museum building to be constructed in a national park with funds provided by a specific congressional appropriation.

Construction of the Sinnott Memorial, located on Victor Rock, was started during the fall of 1930. Through the cooperation of the Carnegie Institution, the sum of $5,000 was made available for placement of exhibits and telescopes in the memorial.

The Sinnott Memorial was dedicated on July 16, 1931

Today the Sinnott Memorial Lookout gives visitors a spectacular view 900 feet down to the lake's surface. There is a small museum and rangers give talks during the summer. The National Parks Service actively encouraged visitors to see the Sinnott Memorial "as soon as possible" upon arriving in the park because it helped them locate places of interest.