First published 09/17/2012: I ran across this book about “California State Park Rangers” written by Michael G. Lynch, which includes several pictures of Rangers and Jeeps. I’ve included three images below and don’t know if there are more. The book covers the history of California State Park Rangers, beginning with the first Ranger Galen Clark at Yosemite State Park in 1866. With a career of thirty-five years in the California Park system, Michael plans to donate some of the proceeds to the parks.
According to the author, many of the images come from the state park archives, which you can view online here.
Click here to learn more about the book at Amazon
I’d like to learn more about Jeep in the US Forest Service, since I own two rigs, a Wagon and an FC. I almost bought a “Piss-fir Willy” CJ-5 10 years ago, but passed it up. Now, I wish I had. It was a very rare CJ with a T-98. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another factory 4 spd in a CJ-5.
I’m definitely buying a book. Thanks for the info, Dave.
**Steve E.**
Hey Dave, I did a quick search, and I found out locally that the author, Mike Lynch, is a retired State Park Ranger, and was a well known archivist. He is also interested in the history of CA State Park Vehicles, even though I’m looking for USFS vehicles. This would be very interesting stuff, too, since my late father-in-law was the local Park Ranger in the 1970’s, and an area supervisor for several CA State Parks along the Northern Calif. Coast when he retired. I wish I would have picked his brain years ago.
**Steve E.**
It would be interesting to know if he has more information about them. And, given that the NFS probably coordinated at times with the CSPs, than Mike might have information or know who to talk to about USFS vehicles.
– D
Yeah we used to call the forest service and all federal government employees piss fir Willie’s.